Volaris (NYSE: VLRS) February 2026 traffic shows higher load factor and stronger international demand

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (Volaris) reported February 2026 traffic figures showing modest overall growth and stronger international trends. Total revenue passenger miles (RPMs) rose 1.5% year-over-year to 2,271 million, while available seat miles (ASMs) increased 1.0% to 2,651 million.

The consolidated load factor improved by 0.5 percentage points to 85.7%, indicating slightly better seat utilization. Domestic RPMs fell 5.4%, but international RPMs climbed 12.6%, reflecting stronger cross-border demand. International load factor reached 81.4%, up 2.0 percentage points. Volaris carried 2.3 million passengers in February, a 4.1% increase from a year earlier.

Insights

Airline traffic and fundamentals analyst

Volaris shows flat overall capacity with growing international demand and stable load factors.

Volaris modestly expanded total ASMs by 1.0% in February 2026 while growing total RPMs by 1.5%. This resulted in a consolidated load factor of 85.7%, up 0.5 percentage points, suggesting slightly more efficient use of capacity.

The domestic market softened, with domestic RPMs down 5.4%, but international RPMs rose 12.6% and international load factor improved by 2.0 percentage points to 81.4%. Total passengers increased 4.1% to 2.318 million, highlighting stronger international volumes offsetting domestic weakness.

The company notes healthy booking trends into Semana Santa and the spring season among Hispanic visiting-friends-and-relatives and leisure travelers. Actual financial impact will depend on future yields and costs, as the figures disclosed here are preliminary traffic metrics rather than audited financial results.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of March 2026

Commission File Number: 001-36059

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V.

(Name of Registrant)

Av. Antonio Dovalí Jaime No. 70, 13 Floor, Tower B

Colonia Zedec Santa Fe

United Mexican States, Mexico City 01210

+(52) 55-5261-6400

 (Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  x                                            Form 40-F  o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  £

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  £

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On March 10, 2026, Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: VLRS) issued a press release titled “Volaris Reports February 2026 Traffic Results: Load Factor of 86%”

A copy of this press release is attached to this Form 6-K as Exhibit 99.1

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V.
Date: March 10, 2026	By:	/s/ Enrique J. Beltranena Mejicano
	Name:	Enrique J. Beltranena Mejicano
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer
	By:	/s/ Jaime E. Pous Fernández
	Name:	Jaime E. Pous Fernández
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit		Description
99.1		Press release dated March 10, 2026, titled “Volaris Reports February 2026 Traffic Results: Load Factor of 86%”

 

Volaris Reports February 2026 Traffic Results:

Load Factor of 86%

Mexico City, Mexico, March 10, 2026 – Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR) (“Volaris” or “the Company”), the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) serving Mexico, the United States, Central and South America, reports its February 2026 preliminary traffic results.

In February, Volaris’ ASM capacity increased 1.0%, while RPMs for the month grew 1.5%. Mexican domestic RPMs declined 5.4%, while international RPMs increased 12.6%. Consolidated load factor increased by 0.5 percentage points year-over-year to 85.7%. During the month, Volaris transported 2.3 million passengers.

Enrique Beltranena, Volaris’ President and CEO, said: “February reflected disciplined capacity deployment aligned with demand across our network, especially in the domestic market, where the capacity adjustments paid off. As a result, RPM growth outpaced capacity growth in the month. The international market demonstrated continued momentum, validating our ongoing cross-border strategy, as reflected in the continued recovery in load factors. Load factors for international hit 81.4% in February, demonstrating continued demand recovery from last year.

Booking trends in 2026 have remained healthy, with momentum building into Semana Santa and the spring season among our Hispanic VFR and leisure passengers, giving us confidence in sustained strong performance as we move through the first half of the year.”

	Feb 2026	Feb 2025	Variance	YTD Feb 2026	YTD Feb 2025	Variance
RPMs (million, scheduled & charter)
Domestic	1,307	1,381	(5.4%)	2,848	2,939	(3.1%)
International	964	856	12.6%	2,145	1,963	9.3%
Total	2,271	2,237	1.5%	4,992	4,902	1.8%
ASMs (million, scheduled & charter)
Domestic	1,467	1,548	(5.2%)	3,227	3,322	(2.9%)
International	1,184	1,078	9.9%	2,634	2,381	10.6%
Total	2,651	2,625	1.0%	5,860	5,703	2.8%
Load Factor (%, RPMs/ASMs)
Domestic	89.1%	89.2%	(0.1) pp	88.3%	88.5%	(0.2) pp
International	81.4%	79.4%	2.0 pp	81.4%	82.4%	(1.0) pp
Total	85.7%	85.2%	0.5 pp	85.2%	85.9%	(0.7) pp
Passengers (thousand, scheduled & charter)
Domestic	1,649	1,644	0.4%	3,548	3,477	2.1%
International	668	583	14.7%	1,490	1,347	10.6%
Total	2,318	2,226	4.1%	5,038	4,823	4.4%

The information included in this report has not been audited and does not provide information on the Company’s future performance. Volaris’ future performance depends on several factors. It cannot be inferred that any period performance or its year-over-year comparison will indicate a similar performance in the future. Figures are rounded for convenience purposes.

 

 

Glossary

Revenue passenger miles (RPMs): Number of seats booked by passengers multiplied by the number of miles flown.

Available seat miles (ASMs): Number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of miles flown.

Load factor: RPMs divided by ASMs and expressed as a percentage.

Passengers: The total number of passengers booked on all flight segments.

VFR: Visiting friends and relatives.

Investor Relations Contact

Liliana Juárez / ir@volaris.com

Media Contact

Ricardo Flores / rflores@gcya.net

About Volaris

*Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Volaris” or “the Company”) (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR) is an ultra-low-cost carrier, with point-to-point operations, serving Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America. Volaris offers low base fares to build its market, providing quality service and extensive customer choice. Since the beginning of operations in March 2006, Volaris has increased its routes from 5 to more than 257 and its fleet from 4 to 155 aircraft. Volaris offers around 500 daily flight segments on routes that connect 46 cities in Mexico and 30 cities in the United States, Central, and South America, with one of the youngest fleets in Mexico. Volaris targets passengers who are visiting friends and relatives, cost-conscious business and leisure travelers in Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America. For more information, please visit ir.volaris.com. Volaris routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its investor relations website. The Company encourages investors and potential investors to consult the Volaris website regularly for important information about Volaris.

 

FAQ

How did Volaris (VLRS) perform in terms of February 2026 traffic growth?

Volaris reported modest February 2026 traffic growth, with total RPMs increasing 1.5% and ASMs up 1.0% year-over-year. This slight improvement in demand versus capacity helped lift the consolidated load factor to 85.7%, showing somewhat more efficient use of its route network.

What were Volaris’ February 2026 load factors and why are they important?

Volaris achieved a consolidated February 2026 load factor of 85.7%, up 0.5 percentage points year-over-year. Domestic load factor was 89.1% and international 81.4%. Higher load factors generally indicate better seat utilization, which can support revenue and unit cost efficiency if pricing holds.

How did Volaris’ domestic and international traffic trend in February 2026?

Domestic RPMs declined 5.4% in February 2026, while international RPMs grew 12.6% year-over-year. This shift reflects softer demand or tighter capacity in Mexico, contrasted with stronger cross-border performance that management says validates its ongoing international strategy and supports recovering international load factors.

How many passengers did Volaris carry in February 2026 and how does it compare?

Volaris transported 2.318 million passengers in February 2026, a 4.1% increase versus February 2025. Domestic passengers rose 0.4% to 1.649 million, while international passengers grew 14.7% to 0.668 million, underscoring relatively stronger demand on international routes than in the domestic Mexican market.

What do Volaris’ year-to-date February 2026 traffic figures show?

Year-to-date through February 2026, total RPMs reached 4,992 million, up 1.8% year-over-year, while ASMs were 5,860 million, up 2.8%. The YTD load factor was 85.2%, down 0.7 percentage points, suggesting capacity grew slightly faster than demand over the first two months.

How is Volaris describing booking trends for 2026 based on this update?

Volaris states that 2026 booking trends have remained healthy, with momentum building into Semana Santa and the spring season. The company highlights strong demand among Hispanic visiting-friends-and-relatives and leisure travelers, supporting management’s confidence in sustained performance into the first half of the year.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 29.8 KB