Bridges Air Malta (5B, Malta International) has signed a dry-lease agreement with Regional One for two E190(F)s. The Maltese carrier will be the launch operator for the type, and is set to take delivery of the first aircraft in the third quarter of 2025.
"The aircraft’s size fills a unique and underserved space in the cargo segment. It strengthens our operational capability and paves the way for the development of promising new routes," said Guy Bridges, managing director of Bridges Air Cargo.
The signing of the lease agreement follows Regional One’s decision to add two more E190(F)s, doubling its orderbook for the type. The lessor initially committed to two jets in 2022, becoming the inaugural client for Embraer's converted freighter.
The E190(F) received full European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification in February, several months after it was green-lighted by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Brazil's aviation authority (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil - ANAC). The Brazilian manufacturer also plans to offer an E195 conversion option, the E195F, with the first aircraft set to be modified by the end of 2025, Cargo Facts reported.
Bridges Air Malta currently operates a sole 32.7-year-old ATR72-200(F), according to ch-aviation Commercial Aviation Aircraft Data.
