Brazil’s Azul inducts first fully converted E195 freighter

Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, Sao Paulo Viracopos) has completed the conversion and certification of the world’s first E195 dedicated freighter.

The Brazilian carrier executed the process largely in-house and in partnership with LHColus Tecnologia. The Brazilian civil aviation authority (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – ANAC) issued the requisite certificate on February 1, 2022, after which PR-AXW (msn 19000638) entered into commercial service on February 7, operating its first flight from Sao Paulo Viracopos to Porto Alegre, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

The conversion expands the Embraer jet’s cargo capacity to 15 tonnes. As the world’s first Class F freighter, the E195 freighter can carry cargo in special fire-resistant containers rather than standard ones. The aircraft’s superstructure has not, however, been equipped with large cargo doors.

Azul plans to induct a further three converted E195 freighters in the coming months all of which will compliment Azul Cargo’s fleet of two B737-300(F)s and will be used predominantly on thinner routes. The carrier’s Azul Conecta (2F, Jundiaí) subsidiary operates a further three Cessna (single turboprop) C208B Grand Caravans in a permanent cargo configuration.