Business Context and Reporting Period
Company: Southeast Airport Group (Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A. de C.V.)
Filing Type: Form 6-K (Report of Foreign Private Issuer)
Reporting Period: Month of August 2002 (specifically the 28-day period from July 31 through August 27, 2002, compared to August 1 through August 28, 2001).
Business Overview: ASUR operates concessions for nine airports in southeast Mexico, including Cancun, Merida, and Cozumel. The company is listed on the NYSE (ASR) and the Mexican Bolsa (ASUR).
Key Financial and Operational Metrics
Passenger Traffic: Total passenger traffic for the reporting period was 977,820, representing a 0.8% increase compared to 970,051 in the prior year period. Transit and general aviation passengers are excluded from these figures.
Financial Data: The filing text does not provide clear values for revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity. This report focuses exclusively on operational passenger traffic statistics.
Material Changes Versus Prior Period
While total traffic increased slightly, performance varied significantly by airport:
- Cancun: Increased 5.1% (656,702 to 690,206 passengers), serving as the primary driver for the overall growth.
- Declines: Eight of the nine airports reported year-over-year decreases. Notable declines included Cozumel (-12.0%), Huatulco (-13.0%), Minatitlan (-11.7%), and Tapachula (-12.0%).
- Weekly Trends: Total traffic increased every week during the reporting period, ranging from a 0.3% increase (Aug 7-13) to a 1.3% increase (Aug 14-20).
Guidance, Outlook, and Management Commentary
Reporting Frequency: Due to the ongoing situation following the September 11, 2001 events in the U.S., management is publishing monthly passenger traffic figures to keep investors informed. Management expects to return to normal quarterly reporting procedures once the situation normalizes.
Risks and Contingencies: The filing explicitly cites the post-September 11, 2001 environment as a factor influencing reporting practices and likely impacting traffic patterns, particularly at airports with significant U.S. connectivity.
Key Facts for Investor Verification
- Verify the specific impact of the September 11, 2001 events on the airports showing double-digit declines (e.g., Huatulco, Cozumel) versus the growth in Cancun.
- Confirm the timeline for the return to quarterly reporting, as monthly data may obscure longer-term trends.
- Note that this filing contains no financial statement data (revenue, earnings, cash flow); investors must refer to Form 20-F or other financial reports for fiscal metrics.
- Review the definition of the reporting period (28-day comparison) to ensure accurate year-over-year analysis.