Bermuda adds E190F as it expands into the cargo market

BermudAir has entered the freighter market with the addition of a converted Embraer E190 aircraft leased from Regional One – the first of the model to be put into operation in North America.

The airline currently operates flights to 10 destinations across the Caribbean, the US and Canada with two E175s and two E190s.

“Cargo is a natural next step for us,” said Adam Scott, founder and chief executive of BermudAir.

“We’ve built a reliable, right-sized operation connecting Bermuda and the Caribbean to North America, and the E190F lets us put that same network to work moving express cargo, supporting local businesses, e-commerce and time-sensitive freight across the islands we serve.

“It’s an exciting expanded line of business for BermudAir, and one that builds directly on the operational strengths we’ve already established.”

The addition means that BermudAir is the second operator of the Embraer E-freighter after Maltese cargo operator Bridges Air Cargo began flights with the model in March.

Regional One has placed five firm orders for the E190F. Two converted aircraft have already been delivered and have entered successfully into service with Bridges.

George Mamangakis, chief investment officer of Regional One, said: “We are excited to welcome BermudAir as the second operator of the Embraer E190F and the first E-Freighter operator in the Americas.

“This milestone represents another important step in the continued growth of the E190 P2F program, and we look forward to expanding the global operator base and bringing these highly capable aircraft to customers in markets around the world.”

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.

Arjan Meijer, president and chief executive of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said: “BermudAir’s selection of the E190F marks an important milestone for the E-Freighter program as the aircraft enters service in North America and the Caribbean for the first time.

“The addition of another operator underscores the strong value proposition of the E-Freighter, which was designed to address a unique gap in the cargo market with the right combination of payload, volume, range and efficiency.”