FLEET - Bridges Air Cargo becomes launch operator of Embraer’s first E-Freighter

Bridges Air Cargo, part of Bridges Worldwide, has taken delivery of the world’s first Embraer E190F, marking the debut of the Brazilian manufacturer’s passenger-to-freighter (P2F) programme.

The Malta-based carrier, which partners with global logistics giants such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS, will soon induct the converted aircraft—originally built in 2010 and now registered as 9H-BRD—into service, with additional E190Fs on the way as part of its fleet expansion.

Developed to meet rising e-commerce demand, the E190F offers greater efficiency than older freighters, with a payload capacity of up to 13.5 tonnes, 40% more volume than comparable models, and lower operating costs.

Embraer, which launched the programme in 2022, sees the E-Freighter as a right-sized solution for regional and medium-haul cargo. For Bridges, celebrating 35 years in operation, the milestone strengthens its role as Malta’s leading cargo carrier and a strategic hub for express logistics across Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa.