(Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall)

MEXICO CITY, April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: ASR; BMV: ASUR), (ASUR) the first privatized airport group in Mexico and operator of Cancun Airport and eight other airports in southeast Mexico, today announced results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009.
1Q09 Highlights(1): -- EBITDA(2) increased by 17.63% to Ps.685.76 million. -- Total passenger traffic was down 3.30%. -- Total revenues rose by 13.20%, mainly due to increases of 8.50% in aeronautical revenues and 23.36% in non-aeronautical revenues. -- Commercial revenues per passenger increased by 31.95% to Ps.60.62 per passenger. -- Operating profit increased by 21.57%. -- EBITDA margin was 69.64% compared with 67.02% in 1Q08. Passenger Traffic
For the first quarter of 2009, total passenger traffic declined year-over-year by 3.30%. Domestic passenger traffic declined by 13.90% while international passenger traffic rose by 3.04%.
The 3.04% rise in international passenger traffic resulted mainly from an increase of 4.54% in international traffic at the Cancun airport. The 13.90% decline in domestic passenger traffic resulted mainly from declines of 24.05%, 16.44%, 6.54%, 21.96% and 27.85% at the Merida, Cancun, Veracruz, Villahermosa and Cozumel airports, respectively.
Table I: Domestic Passengers (in thousands) Airport 1Q08 1Q09 % Change Cancun 785.1 656.0 (16.44) Cozumel 23.7 17.1 (27.85) Huatulco 64.8 83.0 28.09 Merida 314.7 239.0 (24.05) Minatitlan 38.3 35.1 (8.36) Oaxaca 130.9 137.1 4.74 Tapachula 61.1 57.2 (6.38) Veracruz 221.8 207.3 (6.54) Villahermosa 240.9 188.0 (21.96) TOTAL 1,881.3 1,619.8 (13.90) Note: Passenger figures exclude transit and general aviation passengers. Table II: International Passengers (in thousands) Airport 1Q08 1Q09 % Change Cancun 2,863.5 2,993.6 4.54 Cozumel 149.5 131.8 (11.84) Huatulco 50.3 41.9 (16.70) Merida 35.4 25.5 (27.97) Minatitlan 1.0 0.9 (10.00) Oaxaca 13.5 18.1 34.07 Tapachula 1.4 1.0 (28.57) Veracruz 17.4 15.7 (9.77) Villahermosa 12.5 11.5 (8.00) TOTAL 3,144.5 3,240.0 3.04 Note: Passenger figures exclude transit and general aviation passengers. Table III: Total Passengers (in thousands) Airport 1Q08 1Q09 % Change Cancun 3,648.6 3,649.6 0.03 Cozumel 173.2 148.9 (14.03) Huatulco 115.1 124.9 8.51 Merida 350.1 264.5 (24.45) Minatitlan 39.3 36.0 (8.40) Oaxaca 144.4 155.2 7.48 Tapachula 62.5 58.2 (6.88) Veracruz 239.2 223.0 (6.77) Villahermosa 253.4 199.5 (21.27) TOTAL 5,025.8 4,859.8 (3.30) Note: Passenger figures exclude transit and general aviation passengers. Consolidated Results for 1Q09
Total revenues for 1Q09 increased year-over-year by 13.20% to Ps.984.7 million. This was mainly due to increases of:
-- 8.50% in revenues from aeronautical services, principally as a result of an increase in rates, which more than offset the 3.30% decline in passenger traffic; and -- 23.36% in revenues from non-aeronautical services, principally as a result of the 26.73% rise in commercial revenues detailed below.
ASUR classifies commercial revenues as those derived from the following activities: duty-free services, car rental, retail, banking and currency exchange, advertising, teleservices, non-permanent ground transportation, food and beverage, and parking lots.
Commercial revenues rose by 26.73% year-over-year during the quarter, mainly as a result of revenue increases in the following areas principally from the 32.9% depreciation in the peso as against the U.S. dollar since 1Q08, which has resulted in a positive impact as contracts with some concession holders are denominated in US dollars and converted into pesos at the prevailing rate:
-- 35.81% in duty-free stores; -- 20.39% in banking and currency exchange services; -- 33.71% in advertising; -- 8.81% in ground transportation; -- 25.14% in retail operations; -- 33.46% in car rental companies; -- 22.05% in food and beverage; -- 17.19% in teleservices; and -- 29.29% in other revenues.
These increases were partially offset by a 3.45% decline in parking lot revenues.
New Retail and Other Commercial Space Business Name Type Opening Date Cancun Watch my Watch Gift shop September 2008
Total operating costs and expenses for 1Q09 increased 4.87% year over year, primarily as a result of:
-- a 4.13% increase in cost of services, mainly reflecting increases of 9.75% in personnel costs and 9.41% in maintenance costs, which more than offset declines of 17.83% in energy and 17.81% in insurance costs, among others. The increase in personnel costs reflects the personnel reorganization implemented in 2Q08, while higher maintenance costs reflect the expiration of warranties on documented baggage equipment. -- a 6.18% increase in depreciation and amortization, resulting from the depreciation of new investments in fixed assets and improvements made to concession assets; and -- a 2.75% increase in concession fees paid to the Mexican government, mainly due to higher revenues (a factor in the calculation of the fee). -- A 17.64% increase in the technical assistance fee paid to ITA, reflecting an increase in EBITDA for the quarter (a factor in the calculation of the fee).
These increases were partially offset by a 7.17% decline in administrative expenses.
Operating margin for the quarter increased to 53.56% from 49.87% in 1Q08. This was mainly the result of the 13.20% increase in revenues, which more than offset the 4.87% increase in costs during the period.
Following the changes in Mexican tax law that took effect January 1, 2008, which established a new flat rate business tax ("Impuesto Empresarial a Tasa Unica", or "IETU") and eliminated the asset tax, the Company evaluated and reviewed its deferred assets and liabilities position under Mexican Financial Reporting Standards.
During 1Q09, the ASUR subsidiaries that pay IETU made provisional tax payments of Ps.75.6 million.
During the quarter, ASUR recognized asset taxes for a total of Ps.9.5 million under the line item Provision for Asset Tax, and which are not expected to be recovered.
Net income for 1Q09 declined 2.94% to Ps.341.73 million from Ps.352.07 million in 1Q08. Earnings per common share for the quarter were Ps.1.1391, or earnings per ADS (EPADS) of US$0.8049 (one ADS represents ten series B common shares). This compares with earnings per share of Ps.1.1736, or EPADS of US$0.8293, for the same period last year.
Table IV: Summary of Consolidated Results for 1Q09 1Q08 1Q09 % Change Total Revenues 869,890 984,692 13.20 Aeronautical Services 594,715 645,242 8.50 Non-Aeronautical Services 275,175 339,450 23.36 Commercial Revenues 235,629 298,620 26.73 Operating Profit 433,848 527,435 21.57 Operating Margin % 49.87% 53.56% 7.39 EBITDA 582,963 685,759 17.63 EBITDA Margin % 67.02% 69.64% 3.92 Net Income 352,076 341,728 (2.94) Earnings per Share 1.1736 1.1391 (2.94) Earnings per ADS in US $0.8293 0.8049 (2.94) Note: U.S. dollar figures are calculated at the exchange rate of US$1 = Ps.14.1517. Table V: Commercial Revenues per Passenger for 1Q09 1Q08 1Q09 % Change Total Passengers ('000) 5,129 4,926 (3.96) Total Commercial Revenues 235,629 298,620 26.73 Commercial revenues from direct operations (1) 44,335 55,095 24.27 Commercial revenues excluding direct operations 191,294 243,525 27.30 Total Commercial Revenue per Passenger 45.94 60.62 31.95 Commercial revenue from direct operations per passenger (1) 8.64 11.18 29.40 Commercial revenue per passenger (excluding direct operations) 37.30 49.44 32.55 Note: For purposes of this table, approximately 102,900 and 66,800 transit and general aviation passengers are included for 1Q08 and 1Q09, respectively. (1) Revenues from direct commercial operations represent the Company's operation of convenience stores in airports, which opened in May 2007, as well as the direct sale of advertising space by the Company, which started in August 2006. Table VI: Operating Costs and Expenses for 1Q09 1Q08 1Q09 % Change Cost of Services 182,757 190,306 4.13 Administrative 29,991 27,842 (7.17) Technical Assistance 30,681 36,093 17.64 Concession Fees 43,497 44,692 2.75 Depreciation and Amortization 149,115 158,324 6.18 TOTAL 436,042 457,258 4.87 Note: Figures in nominal pesos. Tariff Regulation The Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation regulates the majority of ASUR's activities by setting maximum rates, which represent the rates for the maximum possible revenues allowed per traffic unit at each airport.
ASUR's regulated revenues for 1Q09 were Ps.756.28 million, resulting in an annual average tariff per workload unit of Ps.151.94. ASUR's regulated revenues accounted for approximately 76.80% of total income for the period.
The Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation reviews compliance with the maximum rates on an annual basis at the close of each year.
ASUR received approval from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation for the Master Development Programs for the years 2009 through 2023 and the applicable efficiency factor applicable and the maximum tariffs per work load unit for the years 2009 through 2013 for each of its concessions. One work load unit equals one passenger or 100 kg (220 pounds) of cargo.
Master Development Programs Expressed in millions of constant pesos as of December 31, 2008 Airport 2009-2013* 2014-2018** 2019-2023** Cancun 2,413.7*** 1,207.5**** 793.9 Cozumel 117.6 121.5 89.6 Huatulco 343.4 71.9 48.1 Merida 304.2 125.5 82.5 Minatitlan 59.5 59.8 36.7 Oaxaca 309.4 67.1 85.1 Tapachula 60.1 42.0 20.5 Veracruz 792.8 136.5 170.1 Villahermosa 332.3 257.3 56.1 * Committed investment ** Indicative investment *** As of December 31, 2008, ASUR has invested Ps. 1,054.8 million (which is included in the investment commitments for this period shown above) **** As of December 31, 2008, ASUR has invested Ps.