Bridges Air Cargo to Launch E190F Operations from Malta

Bridges Air Cargo, based in Malta, has signed a dry-lease agreement with Regional One for two Embraer E190 freighters (E190F), becoming the launch operator of the newly converted cargo aircraft. The first delivery is expected in the third quarter of 2025.

“The aircraft’s size fills a unique and underserved space in the cargo segment. It strengthens our operational capability and paves the way for the development of promising new routes,” said Guy Bridges, managing director of Bridges Air Cargo.

The lease agreement follows Regional One’s recent expansion of its E190F order, doubling its commitment from two to four aircraft. Regional One was the original launch customer for Embraer’s passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion program, which began in 2022.

The E190F received full certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in February 2025, following earlier approvals by the FAA in the United States and Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC). Embraer is also advancing plans for an E195F variant, with the first E195 conversion expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Currently, Bridges Air Cargo operates a single 32.7-year-old ATR72-200 freighter. The addition of the two E190Fs marks a significant fleet upgrade and positions the carrier to expand into new regional and medium-haul cargo markets.

The E190F is expected to appeal to operators seeking fuel-efficient, right-sized freighters for thinner cargo routes. Bridges Air Cargo’s entry as the launch operator could help establish a new niche in the evolving air cargo landscape.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com