Embraer’s Freighter Takes To The Air

Embraer has flown its E190F passenger-to-freighter conversion (P2F) for the first time.

The aircraft completed a two-hour flight from Embraer’s São José dos Campos, Brazil site on April 5. The initial flight involved what the Brazilian OEM described as a complete evaluation of the aircraft’s performance, with a short flight test program to be undertaken before the aircraft is scheduled to enter service later this year.

The first aircraft belongs to Regional One, a leasing company from the United States. The first customer is likely to be Astral Aviation of Kenya.

Embraer believes there is a potential market of up to 700 aircraft in the E-Freighter’s class over the next 20 years – 250 replacements of existing aircraft and 450 through market growth. For feedstock, the OEM has identified 380 E190s and 90 E195s throughout the world.

The company adds that the new models will be most effective in the 600nm-1,400nm range bracket.

“The E-Freighter program opens a new business opportunity for Embraer, meeting e-commerce’s growing global demand for cargo transport and matching the high-tech E-Jets family to an unbeatable operational performance,” Embraer president and CEO, Francisco Gomes Neto, said.

“We are very pleased with E190F’s and E195F’s fast progress during the testing period. These jets will be important tools for our customers and allow them to work with more agile and decentralized deliveries.”

The aircraft has already undertaken a series of ground tests, including pressurization and cargo loading tests.

Embraer says that E-Jets converted to freighters will have over 50% more volume capacity, three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than narrowbodies. Utilizing capacity under the floor and main deck, the maximum payload for the E190F is 13,500 kg and 14,300 kg for the E195F.