Embraer signs deal for 20 E-Jet freighter conversions
21 / 06 / 2023
E195F. Photo: Embraer
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with China’s Lanzhou Aviation Industry Development Group for 20 E190F and E195F E-Jet Passenger to Freighter Conversions (P2F).
Embraer and Lanzhou intend to cooperate on establishing E190F and E195F conversion capability in Lanzhou, China, in a bid to appeal to the Chinese market.
With the signing of this LoA at the 54th Paris Airshow, Lanzhou Group, becomes the launch customer and base for Embraer’s P2F conversions in China.
Arjan Meijer, president and chief executive, Embraer Commercial Aviation, said: “The opportunity in China had a significant influence during the decision-making process of the launch of our P2F programme.
“It is a market with increasing demand for cargo aircraft to accommodate the tremendous growth of E-commerce trade and the consequent evolution of the logistics industry. We’re confident in this booming market and always willing to support the sector’s further progress in cooperation with our Chinese partners.
“We welcome Lanzhou Group to be the region’s launch customer for Embraer’s P2F conversion, and we expect to bring new vitality to Chinese market with our E-Jets freighters.”
“We are honoured to be the launch customer of the Embraer E-Jets freighters in China. We believe the ‘China speed’ in aviation logistics will be an important basis for the sustainable and efficient growth of the Chinese economy,” said Chen Zhiqiang, president of Lanzhou Aviation Industry Development Group.
“By cooperating with industry-leading aircraft manufacturer, Embraer and introducing E-Jets freighters to China, we’ll fully leverage our domestic strength and competitive advantages to boost China’s air cargo market growth. We expect that the project, after it comes to fruition, will also help achieve high-quality economic development in Lanzhou, Gansu, and western regions of China.”
Embraer’s programme to convert pre-owned E190s and E195s from passenger jets to freighters was launched in March last year.
Embraer has forecast a market demand for 700 E-Jet freighters over the next 20 years. Among which, it said, the Chinese market is forecast to need 240 freighters of this size, accounting for 34% of the global total, powered by demand from the e-commerce and logistics sectors.
Embraer’s E-Jet P2F conversions will have over 50% more volume capacity, three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than (other) narrowbody aircraft said the company.
If combining underfloor bulk cargo and main deck, the maximum gross structural payload is 13,150kg for the E190F and 14,300kg for the E195F.
The E190F can handle a payload of 23,600lb (10,700kg) while the E195F a payload of 27,100lb (12,300 kg).
The first E190 passenger aircraft arrived at Embraer’s conversion facility in Brazil in February.
Lessor Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) and Kenya-based cargo airline Astral Aviation have both placed orders for the converted E-Jet aircraft.
Nordic Aviation Capital orders up to 10 Embraer freighter conversions
