Bridges Air Cargo has officially entered the European cargo market with the launch of its first Embraer E-Freighter. The aircraft completed its maiden commercial flight, departing Cologne, Germany and landing in Larnaca, Cyprus carrying time-sensitive express shipments. The milestone flight took place on March 9, 2026.

The aircraft will operate across Europe, the Middle East and Africa providing network solutions tailored to the growing demands of the express logistics industry.

A Milestone for Bridges Air Cargo

Guy Bridges, CEO of the Bridges Group, highlighted the significance of the launch:

“We have worked tirelessly over the past 12 months developing a bespoke container and handling system to make this day possible. The Embraer 190 freighter will play a vital role in enabling Bridges to provide network solutions for shipments of 8-12 tonnes to the express industry. Obtaining our own AOC registered in Malta provides the perfect platform to develop and expand E190F operations.”

The deployment of the E-Freighter aligns with Bridges’ strategy to provide fast, efficient and flexible cargo services to secondary and tertiary markets, a segment increasingly driven by e-commerce and decentralized trade operations.

Industry Support and Strategic Partnerships

George Mamangakis, Chief Investment Officer of Regional One, praised the successful launch, stating:

“This milestone reflects the strength of the partnership between Embraer, Bridges Air Cargo and Regional One. The successful first flight reinforces our confidence in the E190F platform and its ability to deliver an innovative solution across the EMEA region.”

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, added:

“We congratulate Bridges Air Cargo on completing its first commercial flight with the E-Freighter. Embraer is committed to supporting Bridges’ operations to ensure the highest levels of performance and reliability in the cargo market.”

The E190F: Designed for Modern Cargo Demands

The Embraer E190F is a passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion designed to meet the evolving demands of express and e-commerce logistics. Compared with traditional cargo aircraft, the E190F offers over 40% more volume capacity than older narrowbodies, three times the range of large cargo turboprops, up to 30% lower operating costs than larger narrowbodies and a maximum structural payload of 13,500 kg when combining main deck and underfloor capacity.

The aircraft’s versatility and efficiency make it particularly suited for fast deliveries to smaller markets, helping operators maintain tight schedules and lower operational costs.

Expansion and Future Prospects

In 2025, Embraer expanded its collaboration with Regional One, doubling its passenger-to-freighter conversion order to four aircraft. This continued partnership highlights both companies’ commitment to modernising cargo operations across the EMEA region.

Bridges Air Cargo, part of the Bridges Group, currently manages a combined network uplift of over 25,000 tonnes per year, positioning the airline as a key neutral provider of logistics solutions to the international courier and express sectors.

The successful launch of the E190F marks a significant milestone for Bridges Air Cargo, signalling a new era of flexible, efficient and cost-effective air cargo operations in Europe and beyond.