During the Paris Air Show, the aircraft manufacturer Embraer and the Lanzhou Aviation Industry Development Group signed a declaration of intent to convert 20 E190 and E195 aircraft from passenger to freighter aircraft. 

The agreement provides for cooperation in establishing conversion capacity in Lanzhou, China, to support the introduction of first-generation E-Jet cargo aircraft in the Chinese market. Lanzhou Group will be the first customer for Embraer's passenger-to-cargo conversion program in China and the base for the company's conversions in that country. 

Some time ago, Embraer launched a cargo variant of the E190/E195 series. These are former passenger planes that are being converted into freighters. There is a gap in the market in this size segment. Due to the fact that many operators in the passage are increasingly switching to the successor series E2, used machines are comparatively cheap. This makes regional jets attractive to cargo airlines. 

Both Embraer and the Chinese contractual partner see great growth potential in the People's Republic. Cargo demand would increase year after year. From the point of view of the Brazilians, the conversion freighters should play an important role. Embraer does not yet offer any E-Jet freighters ex works, although this could well change. It is believed that there could be demand in China for around 700 converted E-Jet freighters.