GUADALAJARA,
Mexico,
Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario
del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) ("The Company" or "GAP")
today announced terminal passenger traffic figures for the month of
September
2007 compared to traffic figures for
September 2006.
During September 2007, total terminal passengers increased 19.3%, compared
to September 2006, driven by domestic passenger traffic, which grew 24.2%, as
well as a recovery in international terminal passenger traffic, which
increased 7.9% compared to September 2006.
Compared to September 2006, domestic terminal passenger traffic in
September 2007 registered a net increase of 229.8 thousand passengers, driven
by growth in passenger traffic at all of the Company's twelve airports. It is
worth noting the passenger growth at the airports of Guadalajara, with 74.9
thousand passengers; Tijuana with 57.0 thousand passengers; Los Cabos with
27.9 thousand passengers; Puerto Vallarta with 15.6 thousand passengers;
Hermosillo with 16.7 thousand passengers; Mexicali with 9.4 thousand
passengers; for a total increased of 201.5 thousand domestic passengers at
these airports. The increases continue to be largely attributable to the
routes operated by low-cost carriers (LCC's) such as Interjet, Volaris, Alma,
Click, VivaAerobus and Avolar.
International terminal passenger traffic registered a net increase of 31.8
thousand passengers, or 7.9%. It is worth noting the growth at the airports
of Guadalajara with 12.8 thousand passengers; Los Cabos with 17.1 thousand
passengers and La Paz with 2.0 thousand passengers.
Decreases in international passenger traffic at the airports of
Aguascalientes, Bajio and Morelia were possibly a result of the substitution
effect as several of the LCC's have increased the number of frequencies to and
from Tijuana. This resulted in numerous passengers choosing to fly to the U.S.
via Tijuana due to lower fares, therefore decreasing traffic on flights to and
from California.
It is important to mention that the increase in international traffic at
the Guadalajara airport was also due to the Guadalajara - Panama route,
operated by Copa, as well as a rebound in traffic on the routes to Chicago,
Portland, San Francisco and Fresno.
There has been a notable recovery in traffic at the Los Cabos and Puerto
Vallarta airports, driven mainly from an improvement in hotel occupancy rates
and an increased number of flights on existing routes.
Low-Cost Carriers
At the close of September 2007, the weekly schedule of flights operated by
LCC's decreased by 54 weekly segments compared to August 2007. As a result,
GAP's airports currently have a total of 907 segments, totaling 58 routes
operated by LCC's. The above mentioned decrease is considered normal due to
adjustments made by the carriers in preparation for the low traffic season, as
well as adjustments in routes and frequencies as the airlines seek to maximize
profitability.
During September 2007, a total of 467.4 thousand passengers were
transported by LCC's, representing approximately 40% of domestic passenger
traffic for this month.
2007 Outlook (Updated)
Based on these figures, we expect that total passenger traffic for the
full year 2007 will increase approximately 13-15%; we expect domestic traffic
will increase approximately 24-26% and we expect international traffic to
decrease approximately 2.5-4%.
Company Description:
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates twelve
airports throughout Mexico's Pacific region, including the major cities of
Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los
Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo,
Bajio, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali and Los Mochis. In February 2006,
GAP's shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker
symbol "PAC" and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GAP".
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These
statements are not historical facts, and are based on management's current
view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions,
company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates",
"believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they
relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the
implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital
expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or
trends affecting financial conditions, liquidity or results of operations are
examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current
views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.
There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will
actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors,
including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and
operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause
actual results to differ materially from current expectations.
In accordance with Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and
article 42 of the "Ley del Mercado de Valores", GAP has implemented a
"whistleblower" program, which allows complainants to anonymously and
confidentially report suspected activities that may involve criminal conduct
or violations. The telephone number in Mexico, facilitated by a third party
that is in charge of collecting these complaints, is 800-759-0045. GAP's Audit
Committee will be notified of all complaints for immediate investigation.
For more information, visit: www.aeropuertosgap.com.mx or contact:
In Mexico In the U.S.
Miguel Aliaga, Maria Barona/Peter Majeski
Investor Relations Officer i-advize Corporate Communications
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, Tel: 212 406 3690
S.A.B. de C.V. gap@i-advize.com
Tel: 01 (333) 8801100 ext 216
maliagag@aeropuertosgap.com.mx
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