Embraer, Azorra sign deal for up to 30 E-Freighters

Embraer and Azorra have signed an agreement covering 20 firm orders for passenger-to-freighter conversions, with an additional 10 purchase rights that could raise the total deal to 30 aircraft.

The agreement comes after the successful entry into service of the Embraer E190F in March, marking a significant milestone in Embraer’s freighter conversion programme.

John Evans, CEO 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 in 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 program, 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.”

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said the order marked another important milestone in Embraer’s partnership with Azorra. He described the agreement as a strong endorsement of the Embraer E-Freighter programme and said it reflected growing worldwide demand for efficient, right-sized cargo solutions.

Meijer added that Embraer would continue to support Azorra and its customers as the E-Freighter expands its presence in the global air cargo market.

Embraer E-Freighter combines the proven reliability of the Embraer E-Jets platform with Embraer’s comprehensive support structure, enabling operators to maximise aircraft availability and performance from the outset, said Carlos Naufel, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support.

He added that as the E-Freighter fleet grows, Embraer remains committed to helping customers realise its full operational potential through its global services network, innovative solutions, and decades of experience supporting E-Jets worldwide.

Built on the proven Embraer E-Jets platform, the Embraer E-Freighter is designed to meet the evolving needs of the express air freight industry, particularly fast deliveries and decentralised operations serving high-yield markets. The Embraer E190F offers more than 100 cubic metres of cargo volume and a payload capacity of up to 13.5 tonnes across its lower and upper decks, enabling cost-efficient transport of express cargo.

Embraer said the next-generation E-Freighter was developed to bridge the gap between turboprops and larger narrowbody freighters, while replacing older and less efficient aircraft. Compared with classic narrowbodies, the aircraft offers 30% lower operating costs with similar cargo volume and range, 35% additional volume capacity, and more than three times the range of large cargo turboprops. The E190F is also positioned as the quietest and most sustainable jet freighter in its class.

The agreement marks Azorra’s entry into the freighter leasing market, making it one of the first lessors to commit to the Embraer E-Freighter programme. Designed for high-frequency, time-sensitive operations, the aircraft is expected to strengthen regional connectivity and open new trade routes across key growth markets, including Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East and Africa.

The agreement follows Azorra’s June 2026 firm order for 15 additional Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, along with purchase rights for 15 more. The deal increased Azorra’s total firm E2 orders to 54 aircraft and marked a major milestone for Embraer, taking the E2 programme beyond 500 firm orders worldwide.

Azorra is a relationship-driven aircraft lessor offering leasing, financing, fleet transition and asset management solutions to airlines, investors and financiers worldwide. Azorra’s fleet includes 338 aviation assets, comprising 186 owned and managed aircraft, 103 engines and airframes, and a committed pipeline of 49 aircraft, including Airbus A220 and Embraer E190/E195-E2 orders. The company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with an additional office in Dublin, Ireland.