Bridges Air Cargo Welcomes the World’s First Embraer E190F Freighter
Malta-based Bridges Air Cargo has etched its name in aviation history by becoming the proud recipient of the world’s first Embraer E190F converted freighter. This event marks the grand premiere of the Brazilian manufacturer’s passenger-to-freighter (P2F) program. The aircraft, registered as 9H-BRD and originally built in 2010, was delivered on August 22, 2025. The company has hailed this as a groundbreaking event, calling it “the first of its kind in the aviation world“.
The E190F boasts a payload capacity of 10.7 tonnes and has been designed to cater to the escalating demands of e-commerce and modern trade. Embraer launched its E-Jet freighter program in 2022, aiming to fill the void between large cargo turboprops and bigger narrowbody freighters.
The converted aircraft offers a significant upgrade in terms of capacity and range. It provides 40% more volume capacity and three times the range of large cargo turboprops. Additionally, it maintains up to 30% lower operating costs than larger narrowbodies.
Bridges Air Cargo, in collaboration with global logistics titans such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS, anticipates the arrival of a second E190F as part of its fleet expansion plans. The company’s vision is to establish itself as Malta’s leading air cargo carrier. This move is expected to transform the Mediterranean island into a strategic hub for express and cargo operations across Europe and into Africa.
Source: www.aircargonews.net