FARNBOROUGH—Embraer has finished the design and configuration for its new E190F and E195F passenger-to-freighter program and is starting the process of selecting suppliers, its aftermarket leader tells ShowNews.

Johann Bordais, president and CEO of Embraer Services and Support, also says, “We’ve started the industrialization process in San Jose dos Campos, where we’ll have the production line.” The conversions will be done in a building adjacent to the assembly line to take advantages of the engineering synergies and workforce experience from the production line.

Bordais says Embraer is on track to induct the first aircraft in the first quarter 2024. The first one could take 6-8 months, but the conversion time should decrease to about three months after the program’s ramp up.

“We’ll start with five modifications per year and by 2026 we’ll get up to 12,” says Bordais.

The 700 E190 and E195 aircraft in service average 15-20 years of age. Embraer is targeting 20% of these as conversion candidates.

Embraer had considered the conversion program in the past, but the market wasn’t there. However, the surge in cargo demand during the pandemic prompted Embraer to develop a supplemental type certificate for customers who wanted to temporarily transport cargo in the cabin. The positivity of that experience led Embraer to pursue a full passenger-to-freighter conversion program, says Bordais.

Nordic Aviation Capital became the launch customer for the E-Jet conversion program in May when it signed an agreement “in principle” to contract up to 10 of its own aircraft. That was followed by a firm order for up to 10 converted aircraft in June from an undisclosed customer.

While the E190 and E195 are crossover jets, they use the same pallets that bigger aircraft carry—an important factor for cargo operators. The E190F will be able to carry a 23,600-lb. (10,700-kg) payload and the E195F’s will be 27,100 lb.