Aerus, legally Aerotransportes Rafilher S.A. de C.V., is a Mexican regional carrier founded in 2022, and started operations in April 2023.[3][4] It is based in Monterrey International Airport.[5]
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Founded |
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Commenced operations | April 27, 2023 | ||||||
Hubs | Monterrey International Airport | ||||||
Fleet size | 5 | ||||||
Destinations | 7 | ||||||
Parent company | Grupo Herrera | ||||||
Headquarters | Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico | ||||||
Key people | Javier Herrera García (CEO)[2] | ||||||
Website | flyaerus |
Aerus was founded in May 2022 by Grupo Herrera, following local government approval.[2][6] It was originally founded in 1990 in San Luis Potosí as Aerotransportes Rafilher, for air taxi services.[1][7] The airline is planned to launch in the first quarter of 2023, seeking to operate flights to destinations with no current air service.[8][6]
In January 2023, the airline ordered 30 all-electric Eviation Alice aircraft.[9] In February 2023, reports indicated that Aerus is planning to expand operations, aiming to have 14 aircraft and 500 employees by 2025. The airline is planning an investment of US$98 million as part of the expansion effort. The airline is also planning to recruit former employees of Aeromar, an airline that closed operations earlier in the month.[4]
The airline plans to operate both domestic and international flights in the Northeastern and Gulf of Mexico regions, using Textron Aviation-built Cessna aircraft.[2][6][10] It is intended to occupy routes previously served by Aeromar.[3]
As of March 2024, the airline operates to Monterrey, San Luis Potosí, Tampico, Matamoros, Piedras Negras, Veracruz, and Villahermosa.[11][12]
The airline used to have flights to Poza Rica, Ciudad Victoria,[13] Reynosa, Torreón, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Ciudad del Carmen. It had previously eyed services to Nuevo Laredo.[14]
Aircraft | Total | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cessna 408 SkyCourier | — | 2 | 19 | [8] |
Cessna Grand Caravan EX | 5 | 1 | 9 | [15][8] |
Eviation Alice | — | 30 | 9[10] | Deliveries expected after 2030[9] |
Total | 5 | 33 |