Regional aircraft leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has agreed a memorandum of understanding to place the first two Embraer E190F passenger-to-freighter conversions with Kenya’s Astral Aviation, based in Nairobi.
In May this year, NAC and framemaker Embraer reached an agreement in principle to take up to 10 conversion slots for E190F/E195F, with first deliveries starting in 2024. Aircraft for conversion will come from NAC’s existing E190/E195 fleet.
Embraer, when announcing the NAC tie-up in May, said: “The E190F and E195F are perfectly sized for new revenue-generating opportunities.The E-Jet Freighters will have over 50% more volumetric capacity, three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than narrowbodies.”
The conversions will be completed at Embraer’s facilities in Brazil.
Sanjeev Gadhia, Founder & CEO Astral Aviation, said: “We are honoured to be the launch operator of the Embraer 190F, which will be based in Astral’s Nairobi hub. It will operate on a combination of scheduled and charter flights on our intra-African network.
“The E-Jets are well known for their efficiency, flexibility and sustainability. We are confident that the E-Jet freighter platform will be a game-changing addition to our growing fleet. We are grateful to NAC and Embraer for choosing Astral to be the launch operator of the E-Jet Freighter.”
Norman C.T. Liu, President & CEO of NAC, said: “As a launch lessor for the E-Jet freighter conversion program, we are pleased to have executed a MoU to place two E190F aircraft with Astral Aviation, a leading cargo carrier servicing Africa.
“NAC aims to remain the leader in regional aviation and expand into larger narrow body aircraft, while building our full life cycle asset management capabilities.”
Johann Bordais, President & CEO, Embraer Services & Support, said: “The response to Embraer’s P2F program, which was launched only in February of this year, has been incredible. NAC has already placed of their first two aircraft, and it’s great to welcome yet another operator to our E-Jet family.”
