An expanded air freight capability shared with Caribbean islands has been announced by BermudAir, which has added a leased Embraer E190F freighter aircraft to its fleet.

The carrier said it was the first deployment of an Embraer E-Freighter anywhere in the Americas.

The aircraft is leased from Regional One, which has placed five firm orders for the E190F since the launch of the E-Freighter programme, two of which have already entered service.

Adam Scott, founder and chief executive officer of BermudAir, said: “Cargo is a natural next step for us. We've built a reliable, right-sized operation connecting Bermuda and the Caribbean to North America, and the E190F lets us put that same network to work moving express cargo, supporting local businesses, e-commerce and time-sensitive freight across the islands we serve.

“It's an exciting expanded line of business for BermudAir, and one that builds directly on the operational strengths we've already established.”

BermudAir's passenger fleet currently comprises Embraer E175 and E190 aircraft serving ten destinations across the Caribbean, the United States and Canada.

The E190F will operate as a dedicated freighter alongside that network, giving BermudAir a cargo capability distinct from and complementary to its passenger operations, subject to regulatory review and approval, the airline said.

George Mamangakis, chief investment officer of Regional One said: “We have long believed in the E190F’s ability to fill a unique and underserved segment of the freight market, providing operators with an efficient, right-sized solution for regional cargo networks.

“BermudAir has built a strong reputation through its thoughtful growth strategy and commitment to connecting island communities, making the E190F a natural fit for its operation.

“We look forward to supporting BermudAir's continued success and exploring additional opportunities to work together in the years ahead.”

Arjan Meijer, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, added: “BermudAir's selection of the E190F marks an important milestone for the E-Freighter programme as the aircraft enters service in North America and the Caribbean for the first time.

“As one of the region's fastest-growing airlines, BermudAir is expanding beyond passenger operations and unlocking new opportunities in the air cargo market.

“The addition of another operator underscores the strong value proposition of the E-Freighter, which was designed to address a unique gap in the cargo market with the right combination of payload, volume, range and efficiency.”

The carrier said the E190F gives BermudAir a stand-alone express air freight capability, combining lower and upper decks to offer more than 100 cubic metres of cargo volume and up to 13.5 tons of payload.

It is expected to provide cost-efficient transport of express cargo to and from island communities, underserved by dedicated freight service.

A statement said that compared with classic narrowbody freighters, it delivers roughly 30 per cent lower operating costs with similar cargo volume and range, while offering 35 per cent extra volume capacity and more than three times the range of large cargo turboprops.