VivaAerobus plans 'billions' on fleet expansion by the end of 2013; 'adequate' alternatives to IPO

VivAerobus CEO Juan Carlos Zuazua said the carrier plans to spend "billions of dollars" on fleet renewal by the end of 2013, with the first new aircraft to be received in 2014. As reported by El Economista, Mr Zuazua said, "We decided to bring forward our plans by a few months due to the good results we have achieved and we know that Mexico's economic strength will facilitate the growth of the industry in the short and medium term." Mr Zuazua did not specify the number aircraft the carrier is seeking, or the manufacturer. On growth, Mr Zuazua said, "At home is where we find opportunities to grow, for example, on routes that have not been addressed by other companies, as happened recently with Cancun-Oaxaca, Cancun-Tampico, Cancun-Reynosa and Cancun-Torreón." On a potential IPO, Mr Zuazua said there exist "adequate means of financing" that don't require going public, such as development banks and the carrier's own resources. According to the CAPA Fleet Database, the carrier currently operates a single-type fleet of 21 Boeing 737-300s, 62% of which are leased and which have an average age of 22 years.