Embraer’s E-Freighter: From slow start to strategic revival

Once written off as a stalled project, Embraer ’s E-Freighter program is showing signs of a comeback. First launched in 2022 to convert its E-Jet family for cargo use, the program struggled to gain traction, landing just two known customers in its early years. But at the 2025 Paris Air Show, Embraer signaled a shift in momentum. With new orders, a refreshed leasing strategy, and long-awaited certification now secured, the E190F is finally preparing to enter service. Here Cargo Facts Consulting explores how the E-Freighter program is repositioning itself within the growing regional cargo market, and the role new partners like Bridges Air Cargo and Regional One might play in its future. At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Embraer announced significant changes to its E-Freighter program, which converts passenger jets to cargo. Originally launched in 2022, the program saw a slow commercial start with only two customer announcements, Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) with a commitment for 10 conversions and Lanzhou Group with 20. Since then, the program has experienced delays in certification and entry into service, before receiving Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval from the FAA, EASA and Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency in 2024 . Now it appears that we are nearing service entry in the third quarter of 2025. Embraer revealed that Regional One, a Miami-based lessor, had ordered two more conversions, in addition to a previous order of two, which was quietly handled in 2022. Regional One announced that it will then lease two of these aircraft to Bridges Air Cargo. Embraer 190F Converted for cargo, the E190F can transport up to 13.5 tons (27,000 pounds). It can carry a volume of 3,632 ft 3 with an optimized main deck configuration as follows: 1 96 x 60” pallet 6 96 x 125” pallets 1 LD3 (AKE) The latter two are both commonly carried on all widebody aircraft allowing for transfer to smaller regional destinations from major cargo hubs. Figure 1: E190F optimized main deck configuration Source: Embraer

This freighter capacity fills the gap between an ATR 72F and a Boeing 737 freighter. Compared to large cargo turboprops, it offers over 40% more volume capacity and triple the range. With a range of 2,300 nautical miles, the Embraer appears to be positioned in a niche market. It boasts a 25% lower cost per trip compared to the B737-300SF, according to Embraer. Figure 2: Aircraft capacity – feeder and regional category Source: Cargo Facts analysis of aircraft characteristics

In 2025, Embraer announced the formation of a dedicated Global Leasing and Freighter team, based in Amsterdam, which will bring together expertise in E-Jet passenger-to-freighter conversions and commercial aviation leasing activities, hoping to provide a boost to the struggling program. Bridges Air Cargo Bridges Air Cargo is a subsidiary of Singapore-based Bridges Aviation, a provider of cargo capacity, freight forwarding, customs compliance and other services. The carrier began flying a 1994-vintage ATR 72-200F (416) in Q4 2023 after obtaining its Maltese AOC in August that year. The aircraft formerly operated by Swiftair, was leased to Bridges Air Cargo and re-registered with a Maltese registration 9H-BWW. According to Flightradar24.com data, the Bridges has been operating the aircraft for Swiftair between Cologne (CGN) and Wroclaw (WRO) since September 2024. Little is known about where these two E190Fs will operate. “Bridges is also progressing AOC participation in Bulgaria, the Eastern Mediterranean, South Africa and Australia, with its partner operators,” according to Bridges website. While its LinkedIn profile states “BRD [Bridges Air Cargo] aims to become the air cargo carrier for Malta and turn the Island into a key hub for express and air cargo operations in the Mediterranean onwards into Africa, with a specific focus on sustainability and use of biofuels.” Cargo Facts believes that the latter is more likely as the Africa-to-Europe market continues to develop. Malta’s geographic location also places it in directly between the two markets. In the chart below, we have identified key markets that are within the 2,300 nautical mile range of the E190F. From Malta International Airport (MLA) the E190F can reach most major cargo hubs in Europe, Africa, Eurasia and the Middle East. It seems like there are a lot of plans in the works at Bridges, however wherever the E190Fs land they will likely be well-suited for the job. Figure 3: Major cargo hubs within range from MLA

Source: Cargo Facts

Astral Aviation Astral Aviation had originally said it planned to become the largest operator of Embraer’s E190F . “We’re really excited because the E190 freighter would make a very, very good freighter, not only in Africa for the hub and spoke [model], but we believe that [it] would also do very well in Europe , ” Astral founder and Chief Executive Sanjeev Gadhia told Cargo Facts in 2023. Originally expected to receive its first E190F in November 2024, the airline planned to lease two units from NAC . Astral planned to establish or acquire a European AOC to operate the E190F on an ACMI basis but postponed due to market conditions . It later explored placing the aircraft with another AOC holder in the meantime, before scrapping the idea altogether in February . Conversions Embraer’s E190F conversions will take place at its facility in Sao Jose dos Campos (SJK). As of writing , we know of two Regional One aircraft located at SJK, 19000360 and 19000399 , both formerly with Avianca El Salvador . Cargo Facts believes Embraer will use the Eastern Airlines Technic facility in Lanzhou (LHW) in northwestern China as a secondary conversion line, should demand for the program pick up. Embraer has forecasted market demand for 600 freighters in the E-Jets segment over the next twenty years . H owever, Cargo Facts Consulting ’ s most recent f reighter f orecast calls for just 100 E190/E195 conversions in that time . Feedstock Should there be a significant increase in demand for this program, there is an abundance of feedstock entering the most economical range of twenty-one to twenty-five years of age. Figure 4: Embraer E190 feedstock Source: Cargo Facts analysis of ch-aviation data

Can Embraer's E-Freighter deliver on its renewed promise? While Embraer’s lofty projection of 600 conversions over the next two decades may be ambitious, the E190F is carving out a meaningful niche between turboprops and narrowbodies. Its ability to deliver widebody-compatible cargo closer to regional markets gives it an edge in emerging trade lanes—particularly in Africa and the Mediterranean. The recent moves by Bridges Air Cargo, Regional One, and Embraer’s new Amsterdam-based leasing team suggest that momentum is being built. Whether the E-Freighter program can overcome its slow start and deliver on its revised promise will depend on operational success, market uptake, and Embraer’s ability to scale conversions at the right pace.

Embraer’s E-Freighter: From slow start to strategic revival

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