| Airline: | Aerus |
| Iata: | ZV |
| Icao: | RFD |
| Callsign: | RAFILHER |
| Hubs: | Monterrey International Airport |
| Fleet Size: | 6 |
| Destinations: | 13 |
| Parent: | Grupo Herrera |
| Headquarters: | Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico |
| Key People: | Javier Herrera García (CEO)[1] |
Aerus, legally Aerotransportes Rafilher S.A. de C.V., is a Mexican regional carrier founded in 2022, and started operations in April 2023.[2] [3] It is based in Monterrey International Airport.[4]
Aerus was founded in May 2022 by Grupo Herrera, following local government approval.[1] It was originally founded in 1990 in San Luis Potosí as Aerotransportes Rafilher, for air taxi services.[5] The airline is planned to launch in the first quarter of 2023, seeking to operate flights to destinations with no current air service.[6]
In January 2023, the airline ordered 30 all-electric Eviation Alice aircraft.[7] 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.[3]
The airline plans to operate both domestic and international flights in the Northeastern and Gulf of Mexico regions, using Textron Aviation-built Cessna aircraft.[1] [8] It is intended to occupy routes previously served by Aeromar.[2]
As of March 2024, the airline operates to Monterrey, San Luis Potosí, Tampico, Matamoros, Piedras Negras, Veracruz, and Villahermosa.[9] [10] On September 12, 2024 flights between Monterrey and Corpus Christi, and Brownsville TX will be added.The airline used to have flights to Poza Rica, Ciudad Victoria,[11] Reynosa, Torreón, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Ciudad del Carmen. It had previously eyed services to Nuevo Laredo.[12] The airline also offers flights along the Quintana Roo coast between Cancun, Cozumel, and Chetumal.
| Aircraft | Total | Orders | Passengers | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 408 SkyCourier | 7 | 19 | |||
| Cessna Grand Caravan EX | 6 | 2 | 9 | [13] | |
| Eviation Alice | 30 | 9 | Deliveries expected after 2030 | ||
| Total | 6 | 39 | |||