Brazilian passenger carrier manufacturer Embraer has moved a step closer to joining the air cargo market as part of its E-Freighter programme.
This after the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) successfully conducted a maiden flight over the past weekend in José dos Campos, a major city in São Paulo state.
The airfreight test involved an E190 pax plane converted into a narrow-body cargo aircraft, the Embraer E190F.
Another pax carrier, the E195, is said to be part of the OEM’s E-Freighter programme.
The test flight lasted about two hours and was declared successful by the staff on board the aircraft.
Although an E190F has already been sold to US aircraft seller and lessor Regional One, Embraer has stated that more test flights will be conducted before the narrow-body carrier is formally entered into the market.
Regional One is a prominent aircraft supplier with a presence in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Iowa.
Embraer has become one of the most popular aircraft brands in the US, having sold 837 units, taking the manufacturer's market share to 88%.
