Malta positions itself as a strategic hub in the Mediterranean and Africa with the arrival of the new regional cargo aircraft.
Bridges Air Cargo, a Malta-based cargo airline, has become the world’s first operator to receive the Embraer E190F, a freighter version derived from the conversion of the renowned E190 regional jet. The delivery marks Embraer’s debut in the competitive P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter) market, traditionally dominated by giants such as Boeing and Airbus.
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The first E190F, registered as 9H-BRD, previously flew for Avianca El Salvador as a passenger aircraft. After undergoing the conversion process, it was delivered to Bridges Air Cargo. Soon, a second E190F will join the fleet, while the total number of aircraft ordered by the company reaches four units, all contracted via leasing with Regional One.
Cargo capacity and e-commerce focus
According to Embraer, the E190F can carry up to 10.7 tonnes of payload, while its larger model, the E195F, can carry up to 12.3 tonnes. Both were designed to serve the growing regional and medium-haul logistics market, with a special focus on e-commerce operations, which require speed and higher flight frequency.
Malta as a logistics hub
With the addition of the “Embraers” to its fleet, Bridges Air Cargo aims to consolidate Malta as a strategic hub for express deliveries in the Mediterranean and North Africa, expanding its relevance in air cargo transport and leveraging the country’s geographical position as a gateway to Europe.
Source and images: Embraer | Bridges Air Cargo. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
