**Bridges Air Cargo Accelerates with a Second Embraer E190F** Malta-based Bridges Air Cargo has taken a significant step in its growth strategy by introducing a second Embraer E190F converted freighter, registered 9H-CLW. The airline announced the milestone on LinkedIn, emphasizing that this addition enhances its expanding network connecting Europe and North Africa. After its first commercial flight in March 2026 and subsequent regular operations, the carrier is now scaling up its regional cargo fleet. According to Planespotters, the aircraft was ferried from Bratislava to Cologne-Bonn on June 14 before entering service the following day. Flightradar24 data shows it has already completed multiple rotations, including routes linking Cologne, Malta, Tripoli, and Rome. This pattern underscores Bridges Air Cargo's strategic focus on Euro-Mediterranean corridors, leveraging Malta's geographic position as a logistics hub between major European markets and emerging North African economies. The E190F is part of Embraer's E-Jet Freighter program, launched in March 2022, which converts E190 and E195 regional jets into cargo aircraft. Embraer positions the E190F as a "missing link" between large turboprop freighters and narrowbody conversions like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A321. The aircraft offers up to 40% more volume and three times the range of large turboprop cargo planes, while operating costs are up to 30% lower than traditional narrowbody freighters. The E190F can carry up to 13.5 tonnes of payload, split between the main deck and holds, while the E195F variant handles 14.3 tonnes. Bridges Air Cargo, which obtained its Maltese AOC in 2023, specializes in logistics solutions for integrators such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS. The addition of a second E190F allows the airline to offer shorter transit times and more direct connections on routes often underserved by larger cargo aircraft. This aligns with broader market trends favoring regional cargo jets, driven by e-commerce growth and the need for rapid, flexible supply chains on intermediate distances. For ATPL and ATC students, this development illustrates the evolving landscape of air cargo operations. Understanding the operational characteristics of regional freighters like the E190F—including payload, range, and cost efficiencies—is increasingly relevant for career planning. ATC trainees should note the impact of such aircraft on airport slot coordination and cargo handling procedures, especially at secondary hubs like Malta.