The passenger-to-freighter conversion market gained a new player Monday as Embraer launched the E190F and E195F, adding lifespan to aging E-Jets and finding a new capacity niche in the resurgent P2F market. The Brazilian airframer says it designed the E-Jet freighters to meet the evolving nature of e-commerce and modern trade, which calls for ever-faster delivery times and a need for decentralized operations.

The E190F would carry a payload of up to 23,600 pounds and the E195F 27,100 pounds. The company lists volume capacities of 3,632 cubic feet and 4,171 cubic feet, respectively, and ranges of 2,300 nm for the E190F and 2,100 nm for the E195F. By comparison, the larger A320P2F conversion under development by Elbe Flugzeugwerke, the joint venture created by Airbus and ST Engineering, will carry 46,296 pounds over 1,800 nm, or 37,478 pounds up to 2,560 nm.

“Perfectly positioned to fill the gap in the freighter market between turboprops and larger narrowbody jets, our P2F E-Jet conversion hits the market as the demand for airfreight continues to take off, and as e-commerce and trade, in general, undergoes a global structural transformation,” said Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO Arjan Meijer.

Embraer said it would make the conversion available for all used E190 and E195 aircraft. Targeting an entry-into-service of early 2024, the company said it sees a demand for the size category of the E190/195F of some 700 aircraft over 20 years.

The initiative comes as Embraer addresses what it calls three major opportunities, including the fact that much of the current standard body freighter fleet has entered its retirement window. The company also cited recent structural changes that strengthened the overall freighter market, “and more so for same-day deliveries and decentralized operations.”

Finally, it noted that E-Jets that entered service around 10- to 15 years ago are now emerging from long-term leases and beginning their replacement cycle, one that will continue over the coming decade. The full cargo conversion will extend the life of the most mature E-Jets by another 10 to 15 years, and encourage their replacement in the passenger market with what Embraer calls more efficient, more sustainable, and quieter aircraft.

The company claims the E-Jet Freighters will offer 50 percent more volume capacity and three times the range of large cargo turboprops and “up to 30 percent” lower operating costs than narrowbodies.

Embraer said it will perform the freighter conversions at its facilities in Brazil. The conversion includes a main deck front cargo door; cargo handling system; floor reinforcement; the Rigid Cargo Barrier (RCB), which is a 9G barrier with access door; cargo smoke detection system, including class “E” extinguishers in the upper cargo compartment; air management system changes (cooling, pressurization, etc); interior removal and provisions for hazardous material transportation.

“The E-Jet air freighters will provide fast, reliable, and cost-effective service to freight forwarders, extend the revenue earning life of E-Jets, support E-Jets’ asset values and create a strong business case encouraging the replacement of earlier aircraft with modern, more efficient, passenger aircraft,” said Embraer Services and Support CEO Johann Bordais. “With more than 1,600 E-Jets delivered globally, customers of this new freighter segment will benefit from well established, mature, global services network, in addition to a comprehensive portfolio of products ready to support their operation from day one.”