Portfolio of Cargo Solutions Helps Maintain Critical Supply Lines

The severe decline in the number of airline passengers is creating a boom in demand for air cargo capacity. Fallout from the global pandemic is stressing supply chains and the transport of essential goods. With fewer commercial flights, which carry both passengers and freight, there’s a critical need for more cargo space.

Our engineers rose to the challenge when customers asked them if they could find a way for their Embraer airplanes to carry more non-human payload. Today, customers can choose from a portfolio of solutions to carry cargo in the cabins of their EMB120s, ERJ145s, and E-Jets.

ANAC, Brazil’s civil aviation regulatory authority, granted exemption for the carriage of additional freight on Embraer passenger aircraft. Our engineers published Technical Dispositions for the ERJ145 and the E-Jets family, including the E2s, that explain how to accommodate cabin freight. A Service Bulletin is also available for the EMB120.

These solutions, while specific to each aircraft type and customer, offer two types of configurations.

On-Seat Loading

In addition to placing small packages in overhead bins and stowage compartments, cargo items can be placed on each seat, subject to certain restrictions.

The payload capability is significant. For example, a fully loaded 96-seat E190 can carry 6,720 lb (3 metric tonnes) of cabin freight in addition to underfloor cargo. A 118-seat E195 can carry 8,260 lb (3.75 metric tonnes.)

Floor Loading

Customers can opt for a floor-mounted freight configuration if their cargo pieces can not fit on passenger seats. This solution permits the removal of up to 70% of the passenger seats with the remaining areas accommodating items on the cabin floor. Freight must be contained in approved netting that attaches to the inboard and outboard seat tracks.

Cabin payload capability for the ERJ145 is up to 1,750 lb (0.8 metric tonnes) and up to 5,194 lb (2.36 metric tonnes) for the E190-E2.

For customers needing even more capacity, Embraer offers a Service Bulletin for full cargo configurations, for example, on the EMB120. These layouts give operators the flexibility to carry larger floor-mounted freight items in the cabin.