EMBRAER's E190 converted freighter has been given a major boost by gaining certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The 'E-Jet' conversion and the cargo loading system, developed by US Cargo Systems, were both certified by the FAA last month, the aircraft manufacturer revealed.

The company is hoping the conversion will fill the gap in the market between turboprop and existing narrowbody conversion programmes, reports London's Air Cargo News.

The FAA approval follows on from certification from the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) in July. Embraer hopes to achieve EASA certification later this year.

Embraer Commercial Aviation chief commercial officer Martyn Holmes said: "FAA certification is an important milestone in our passenger-to-freighter conversion programme.

"With our E-Jet footprint across the US and worldwide, we are offering optimum cargo solutions to our customers for this connected world."

Embraer claims the E-Jet will offer 40 per cent more volume capacity and three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30 per cent lower operating costs than larger narrowbodies.