First Embraer E-Freighter begins flying in Europe targeting the rapid delivery boom
A new chapter in air cargo transportation has begun in Europe. The first cargo jet Embraer E-Freighter, based on the E190 model, has officially started commercial operations with Bridges Air Cargo.
The inaugural flight took place this Monday (9), departing from Cologne, Germany, to Larnaca, Cyprus, carrying time-sensitive express materials.
The aircraft will now operate within the logistics network of Bridges Worldwide, which focuses on transportation solutions for the rapid delivery industry across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
A cargo aircraft built for the new e-commerce logistics
The E190 converted into a freighter was developed to serve a phenomenon that is rapidly growing worldwide: the explosion of e-commerce and rapid deliveries.
Unlike large cargo aircraft, the E-Freighter was designed for regional routes and smaller airports, connecting secondary and tertiary markets—something increasingly important for logistics companies.
According to Guy Bridges, CEO of the Bridges Group, the start of operations is the result of a full year of preparation.
“We have worked intensively over the past 12 months to develop a custom container and create handling systems that made this day possible. The Embraer 190 freighter will play an important role in providing logistics solutions with capacity between 8 and 12 tons for the express delivery sector,” he explained.
The company also obtained its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) registered in Malta, which will allow the expansion of operations for the new cargo fleet.
International partnership drives the project
The entry into service of the freighter is the result of a partnership between Embraer, Bridges Air Cargo, and the leasing and investment company Regional One.
For George Mamangakis, Chief Investment Officer at Regional One, the first flight represents an important moment for the program.
“The start of operations demonstrates the strength of collaboration between the companies and confirms the potential of the E190F platform as a competitive solution for cargo transport in the EMEA region,” he said.
He added that the company intends to continue expanding the program as global demand for air logistics grows.
Conversion transforms passenger aircraft into modern freighters
The E190F freighter is part of Embraer’s program that converts passenger aircraft from the E-Jets family into cargo aircraft.
In 2025, the Brazilian manufacturer expanded its partnership with Regional One, doubling the number of planned conversions in the program.
According to Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, the start of operations marks a historic moment.
“We are proud to see the E-Freighter begin commercial flights. This is just the beginning of a new phase in the air cargo market, and we are committed to supporting Bridges Air Cargo’s operations with high performance and reliability,” he said.
Efficiency that could change the market
The E190F was developed to fill a little-explored space in the air cargo sector: the intermediate segment between small turboprop freighters and large narrowbody jets.
Among its main advantages are:
- more than 40% increase in cargo volume
- three times the range of large turboprop freighters
- up to 30% reduction in operating costs compared with larger jets
By combining the lower hold and the main deck, the aircraft can carry up to 13,500 kg of structural cargo, making it an efficient solution for high-frequency regional routes.
With the rapid growth of online shopping and the need for increasingly faster deliveries, aircraft like the E190F could become key elements in global logistics in the coming years.
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Source and images: Embraer. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
