Maltese cargo operator Bridges Air Cargo has announced that its second Embraer E190F converted freighter has now entered service.
Bridges carried out the first commercial flight for the E190F in March and began regular operations later that month.
“We’re pleased to announce that our second EMB190F, 9H-CLW, has entered service,” said the airline in a LinkedIn post today.
“This milestone further strengthens our growing network connecting Europe and North Africa.
“With two EMB190F now in operation, we continue to expand capacity, improve reliability, and reinforce Malta’s position as a strategic air cargo hub.
“More to come as we scale our footprint across Europe and North Africa.”
Data from Planespotters showed that the E190F registered 9H-CLW travelled from Bratislava Airport to Cologne Bonn Airport on 14 June before entering services with Bridges Air Cargo on 15 June.
Since then it has undertaken five flights, according to flight tracking Flightradar24. This includes Cologne to Malta, Malta to Tripoli, Tripoli to Malta, Malta to Rome, and Rome to Malta.
Bridges was announced as the launch operator of the E190F in June last year, with the first aircraft delivery taking place in August.
The airline was first issued with a Malta AOC in 2023 and offers logistics solutions for the express and courier industry. Its customers include FedEx, DHL and UPS.
Embraer launched its E-Jet freighter programme to convert E190 and E195 passenger aircraft to freighters in March 2022.
The Brazilian aerospace manufacturer said the E-Jet offers 40% more volume capacity and three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than larger narrowbodies.
Combining cargo capacity under the floor and on the main deck, the E190F’s maximum structural payload is 13,500 kg. The larger E195F will have a payload of 14,300 kg.
