In the last hour of May 30, it was announced that the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) granted the concession to a new Mexican airline that will bear the name of Aerus.
According to the press release, the company Aerotransportes Rafilher S.A. de C.V., under the trade name «Aerus», will start its first stage with activities in the northeast of the country, both with domestic and international flights, and plans to start commercial operations by the first quarter of 2023.
The statement does not clarify in detail the destinations to be covered by the company, although its objective is to reach routes that no other airline currently operates and offer a variety of frequencies, to position itself as a regional business model and thus become a working partner for its customers.
The Herrera Group
Aerus is part of the Herrera Group conglomerate with 80 years of experience in the automotive, financial, and real estate industries. The group is based in San Luis Potosi and has had an air taxi permit since 1990.
«Our vision is to cover 100% of the national territory with domestic flights, as well as international flights by 2030 and this to do it in a sustainable way, not only in environmental issues, but that we have a positive impact on the communities where we will have presence and that the business model is viable to be able to continue offering our services,» stressed Aerus CEO Javier Herrera García.
García also stated that the company will use state-of-the-art aircraft, without specifying the model or manufacturer. However, in line with the current evolution of the industry, the aircraft chosen will have a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, which will demonstrate its commitment to the environment.
«Thanks to the support and high professionalism of the Federal Civil Aviation Agency staff led by General Carlos Antonio Rodríguez Munguía, this new Mexican airline is a reality,» added Herrera García.
A new competitor in northern Mexico
In a market where Volaris, Viva Aerobus and Aeromexico dominate with more than 97% of the supply, competition in regional operators is reduced to Aeromar, TAR Aerolíneas and Calafia.
Calafia Airlines, founded in 1992, is the largest regional airline in northwest Mexico. It has a fleet of two Embraer 120ERs and four ERJ 145s connecting 21 cities. During the first four months (January-April) of 2022, it transported 46,211 passengers.
Aero Servicios Guerrero (ASG) is another airline that provides connectivity in the northwest of the country. Its fleet consists of three Cessna Grand Caravan and two Cessna 402, connecting 11 cities in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa and Sonora.
