Copa Holdings, S.A. (NYSE: CPA), today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2018 (2Q18). The terms "Copa Holdings" and "the Company" refer to the consolidated entity. The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the second quarter of 2017 (2Q17).
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Copa Holdings reported net income of US$49.9 million for 2Q18 or earnings per share (EPS) of US$1.18, as compared to net income of US$58.6 million or earnings per share of US$1.38 in 2Q17.
Operating income for 2Q18 came in at US$57.1 million, representing a 27.3% decrease over operating income of US$78.6 million in 2Q17, mainly as a result of a 4.8% increase in unit costs (CASM) due to higher fuel prices. Operating margin for 2Q18 came in at 9.0%, compared to an operating margin of 13.7% in 2Q17.
For 2Q18, consolidated passenger traffic grew 13% while consolidated capacity grew 11.2%. As a result, consolidated load factor for the quarter increased 1.3 percentage points to 83.5%.
Total revenues for 2Q18 increased 10.5% to US$634.1 million. Yield per passenger mile decreased 2.2% to 11.4 cents and RASM came in at 9.8 cents, or 0.6% below 2Q17.
Operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) increased 4.8%, from 8.5 cents in 2Q17 to 9.0 cents in 2Q18, driven by a 32.9% higher effective fuel price. CASM excluding fuel costs decreased 5.1% from 6.3 cents in 2Q17 to 6.0 cents in 2Q18, mainly as a result of timing of expenses as well as cost reduction efforts.
Cash, short-term and long-term investments ended the quarter slightly over US$1.0 billion, representing 38.8% of the last twelve months' revenues.
Copa Holdings ended the quarter with a consolidated fleet of 101 aircraft – 68 Boeing 737-800s, 14 Boeing 737-700s, and 19 Embraer-190s.
For 2Q18, Copa Airlines had an on-time performance of 89.9% and a flight-completion factor of 99.8%, maintaining its position among the best in the industry.
Subsequent Events
In July, Copa Airlines was awarded "Best Airline" and "Best Airline Staff" in its region by the Skytrax World Airline Awards.
During the month of July, Copa Airlines began service to its 16th destination in the Caribbean, Bridgetown, Barbados.
Also in July, Copa Airlines began service to its 8th and 9th destinations in Brazil, Fortaleza and Salvador de Bahía.
The Company is disclosing today that it has been in discussions with United Airlines, Inc. and Avianca Holdings regarding the possibility of establishing a three-way joint business agreement that would cover our combined network between the United States and Latin America. We can provide no assurances as to whether or when the parties will finalize the agreement.
Copa Holdings will pay its third quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share on September 14, to all Class A and Class B shareholders on record as of August 31, 2018.
