FIA 2026: Azorra places order for up to 30 Embraer E-Freighters
Aircraft lessor Azorra has placed an order for up to 30 Embraer E190 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions, becoming one of the first lessors to commit to the E-Freighter programme as it expands into the freighter leasing market.
Announced at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, the agreement includes 20 firm P2F conversion orders and purchase rights for a further 10 aircraft. The deal follows the E190F’s entry into service in March.
The agreement represents another expansion of the long-standing relationship between Embraer and Azorra, which also increased its commitment to the E2 family in June with a firm order for 15 additional E195-E2 aircraft and purchase rights for 15 more.
John Evans, chief executive of Azorra, said: “Our partnership with Embraer has been built over many years and is rooted in a shared belief in the long-term value and reliability of the E-Jet platform. The E-Freighter is a natural extension of that story, combining the proven performance of the E-Jet with a compelling solution for the growing express cargo market.
“This investment reflects our confidence in the aircraft and extending its useful life. The E-Jet Freighter is an ideal replacement for older 737 freighters, offering reliable, Stage 4 noise-compliant operations and, with Azorra’s CF34 engine programme, unmatched operating costs.
“We are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Embraer and look forward to helping bring the E-Freighter to operators worldwide.”
Built on the E-Jets platform, the E190F is designed to serve the growing express cargo market, offering more than 100m³ of cargo volume and up to 13.5 tonnes of payload through the combined use of its upper and lower decks.
Embraer says the aircraft fills the gap between large turboprop freighters and converted narrowbody aircraft, delivering lower operating costs while offering greater range and cargo capacity than turboprops.
Arjan Meijer, president and chief executive of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said: “Azorra has been a trusted partner in the success of Embraer aircraft around the world, and this order marks another important chapter in our relationship.
“This agreement is a strong endorsement of the E-Freighter and reflects growing demand for efficient, right-sized cargo solutions worldwide. We look forward to supporting Azorra and its customers as the E-Freighter continues to expand its presence across the global air cargo market.”
Carlos Naufel, president and chief executive of Embraer Services & Support, added: “The E-Freighter combines the proven reliability of the E-Jets platform with Embraer’s comprehensive support structure, ensuring operators can maximize aircraft availability and performance from day one. As the E-Freighter fleet continues to grow, we are committed to helping customers unlock its full operational potential through our global services network, innovative solutions, and decades of experience supporting E-Jets around the world.”
According to Embraer, the E190F is intended for high-frequency, time-sensitive regional cargo operations and is expected to support new trade routes in markets including Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.