Freighter aircraft are in demand – we’ve all seen that. Shorter range freighters are also in demand – with Embraer joining in the action as they seek to fill a perceived gap in the market.
E-Jet Freighter – Rendering, Embraer.
Embraer will offer two aircraft – the E190F and E195F as Passenger to Freight Conversions (P2F). The E190F will be able to handle a payload of 23,600lb (10,700kg) while the E195F a payload of 27,100 lb (12,300 kg).
The manufacturer is also highlighting the performance and economics. According to Embraer, the E-Jet Freighter will have over 50% more volume capacity, three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than narrowbodies.
They have published specifications of the layout at https://www.embraercommercialaviation.com/commercial-jets/e190f-e195f-freighter/
It bases these arguments on the current small narrowbody freighter airframes that are aged, inefficient, highly polluting, and well within their retirement window, the ever-changing cargo picture and the earlier E-Jets that entered service 10-15 years ago are now emerging from long-term leases and beginning their replacement cycle. The full cargo conversion will extend the life of the most mature E-Jets by another 10 to 15 years, and encourage their replacement with more efficient, more sustainable, and quieter aircraft.
What’s changing?
For the conversion, it will be performed at Embraer’s facilities in Brazil. Planned changes to the aircraft include:
- The fitting of a main deck front cargo door
- Cargo handling system
- Floor reinforcement
- A Rigid Cargo Barrier (RCB) – 9G Barrier with access door; cargo smoke detection system, including class “E” extinguishers in the upper cargo compartment
- Air Management System changes (cooling, pressurization, etc)
- Interior removal and provisions for hazardous material transportation.
In Quotes
Johann Bordais, President & CEO, Embraer Services and Support said
“The E-Jet air freighters will provide fast, reliable, and cost effective service to freight forwarders, extend the revenue earning life of E-Jets, support E-Jets’ asset values, and create a strong business case encouraging the replacement of earlier aircraft with modern, more efficient, passenger aircraft,”
“With more than 1,600 E-Jets delivered globally, customers of this new freighter segment will benefit from well established, mature, global services network, in addition to a comprehensive portfolio of products ready to support their operation from day one.”
Entry into service
The full freighter conversion is available for all pre-owned E190 and E195 aircraft, with entry into service expected in early 2024. Embraer sees a market for this size of airplane of approximately 700 aircraft over 20 years.
Moving into the market
Embraer is the last of the major airframers to move into the Passenger to Freighter conversion programmes, with something that the other manufacturers can’t meet – a mid-sized freighter that’s larger than what an ATR72 can carry, whilst smaller than a Boeing 737-800P2F/Airbus A320P2F/A321P2F. Clearly, Embraer sees this gap as something they can exploit, with no other aircraft exiting leasing arrangements meeting this gap.
The success of the type will be mission dependant – air freight is very much a time-sensitive commodity that helps just-in-time manufacturing, medicines, foodstuffs and technology, as well as the range this freighter will be able to work.
This should be one to watch – and see who racks up the orders for the type. With the world relying on air cargo more than ever, there are plenty of orders up for grabs.
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