Embraer’s E-Freighter has begun operational service, making its debut flight with launch customer Bridges Air Cargo.
The aircraft, a converted Embraer 190, completed its first commercial flight on March 9, departing Cologne, Germany, and landing in Larnaca, Cyprus, carrying a time-sensitive express cargo.
Bridges Air Cargo is part of Bridges Worldwide, which operates on behalf of the international logistics, courier, and express community. It partners with global logistics specialists, including FedEx, DHL, and UPS, to support time-critical deliveries of freight.
The aircraft will provide services in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
When the aircraft was delivered from lessor Regional One last summer, Bridges Group CEO, Guy Bridges, said that the aircraft, which has a maximum payload of 13.5 tonnes, “fills a unique and underserved space in the cargo segment.”
The aircraft, developed and converted by Embraer from former passenger E190s, entailed the launch customer creating specialized equipment for it.
“We have worked tirelessly over the past 12 months developing a bespoke container and devising handling systems to make this day possible,” Bridges said as the first flight took off.
“We…expect the Embraer 190 freighter to play an important role for Bridges to provide network solutions at between eight and 12 tonnes to the express industry. Having obtained our own AOC registered in Malta provides the ideal platform for Bridges to develop and progress E190F operations.”
“Today’s entry into service is an important milestone for the E-Freighter program and a testament to the strength of the partnership between Embraer, Bridges Air Cargo, and Regional One,” Regional One’s chief investment officer, George Mamangakis, said.
South Florida-based Regional One is a purchaser, lessor, and seller of aircraft, aircraft parts, engines, and engine parts.
“The successful first commercial flight reinforces our confidence in the E190F platform and its ability to deliver a compelling solution across the EMEA region. We look forward to building on this momentum as the program continues to mature.”
In 2025, Embraer expanded its partnership with Regional One with the addition of two passenger-to-freight (P2F) conversions, doubling its existing order of two.
The E190F was launched to meet the changing demands of e-commerce and modern trade, which require fast deliveries and decentralized operations, driving the demand for faster delivery of shipments to secondary and tertiary markets. The jet was developed to fill a gap in the air cargo market and to replace older, less efficient models.
E-Jets converted to freighters will have greater than 40% more volume capacity, three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than larger narrowbodies.
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