Bridges Air Cargo Becomes Launch Operator of Embraer’s First E-Freighter

Photo Source: Embraer

Bridges Air Cargo, part of Bridges Worldwide, has officially taken delivery of the world’s first Embraer E190F, marking a historic milestone as the debut operator of Embraer’s passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion program.

The Malta-based carrier, which partners with major global logistics players including FedEx, DHL, and UPS, received the converted aircraft—initially built in 2010 and now registered as 9H-BRD—as it prepares to expand its dedicated cargo operations. Additional E190Fs are expected to join the fleet in the near future as part of the airline’s strategic growth plan.

Meeting the E-Commerce Boom

Developed in response to surging e-commerce and express cargo demand, the Embraer E190F provides a modern, right-sized solution for regional and medium-haul freight. The freighter offers:

• Payload capacity of up to 13.5 tonnes

• 40% more volume than comparable aircraft

• Lower operating costs and higher efficiency

This positions the E190F as an attractive alternative to older, less fuel-efficient freighters in the same category.

Embraer’s Cargo Vision

Embraer launched its E-Freighter program in 2022, seeing strong potential for converted regional jets in a market increasingly driven by flexible, point-to-point cargo solutions. The E190F, alongside the slightly smaller E195F, is designed to fill a gap between turboprop freighters and larger narrowbodies like the Boeing 737.