Textron Aviation announced that Aerus, a new regional airline in Mexico, is launching its fleet with the purchase of Textron’s Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine turboprops and Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprops.
The company said Aerus will take two 19-passenger configured Cessna SkyCouriers and four Cessna Grand Caravans, which have room for 14 occupants. The airline recently took delivery of the first three Grand Caravan EX aircraft.
“A fleet of Cessna SkyCouriers and Cessna Grand Caravans will enable Aerus to be successful in growing service range and frequency of flights,” said Marcelo Moreira, vice president of Sales, Latin America region, Textron Aviation. “Both aircraft offer superior performance and low operating costs in combination with flexibility in cabin and payload.”
The Cessna SkyCourier aircraft is a 19-seat, twin-engine aircraft designed for performance, reliability, and maximizing your revenue. It is equipped with a pair of Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines, enough to hit over 210 knots (389 km/h) or cover up to 920 nm (1,704 km) on a single flight. The aircraft can also be used as a cargo airplane, with a 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) payload.
The Grand Caravan EX turboprop carries up to 14 occupants with an increased speed and climbs capability, plus a takeoff ground roll of only 1,399 ft. Its powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada engine delivers 867 horsepower for dependable payload performance and superior efficiency. The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 185 knots (343 km/h) and a range of up to 912 nm (1,689 km).
Both aircraft are versatile and reliable business tools that enable customers like Aerus to fulfill their missions. Based in Monterrey, Mexico, Aerus intends to use this fleet to cover unserved national and international routes in order to meet the needs of its customers.
Aerus is part of Grupo Herrera, which has 80 years of experience in the automotive, financial, and real estate industries and has had an air taxi permit since 1990. The company plans to begin its airline operations in the first quarter of 2023.
