In May, NAC and Embraer reached an agreement in principle to convert up to 10 E190/195s sourced from NAC’s fleet, which is the order that has been confirmed.
In July, NAC signed a memorandum of understanding to place the first 2 in Nairobi, Kenya-based Astral Aviation’s fleet.
Embraer’s E-Jet conversions have over 50% more volume capacity and 3 times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than narrowbodies.
The conversions will be performed at Embraer’s facilities in Brazil with work including the main deck front cargo door, cargo handling system, floor reinforcement, Rigid Cargo Barrier, cargo smoke detection, Air Management System changes, interior removal and provisions for hazardous material transportation.
The E190F has a maximum gross structural payload of 13.1 tonnes and the E195F is 14.3 tonnes.
For typical e-commerce density, the E190F can handle 10.7 tonnes and the E195F can take 12.3 tonnes.