For Dallas-area shippers moving small freight loads on short regional lanes at frequencies that a larger freighter cannot economically support, the Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia in cargo configuration is a practical fit. DFW’s geographic position at the center of the Texas market makes short-leg turboprop freight viable for oil field supplies, automotive parts, and time-sensitive regional shipments. It seats no passengers in freight configuration and focuses purely on the cargo.
The Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia is a twin-turboprop regional aircraft commonly converted to a freighter configuration with the passenger interior removed and a cargo floor and tie-down system installed. Two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW118 turboprop engines power it. Range in cargo configuration is approximately 945 nautical miles. Payload capacity is approximately 1.5 to 2 metric tons in a typical freighter conversion. The aircraft accepts small pallets and bulk freight through a forward cargo door.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Cargo Aircraft
- Manufacturer: Embraer
- Year introduced: 1985
- Seating: Crew only (cargo)
- Crew: 2
- Range: 945 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 300 knots
- Service ceiling: 32,000 feet
- Length: 65.6 feet
- Wingspan: 64.9 feet
- Height: 20.8 feet
- Baggage volume: 1,200 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Crew only
Why the Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia Fits Dallas
From Addison Airport (KADS) in Addison, TX, just north of Dallas, the EMB-120 can reach Houston (approximately 240 nautical miles), San Antonio (approximately 245 nautical miles), and Midland-Odessa (approximately 300 nautical miles) in well under two hours. For oilfield service companies based in the Permian Basin that need same-day parts delivery from a Dallas supplier, this aircraft covers the corridor faster than ground freight with a fraction of the ground handling complexity of a larger freighter.
The EMB-120’s size lets it operate at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) and other secondary DFW metro airfields that larger freighters cannot use. That flexibility is useful when cargo needs to terminate close to an industrial site on the periphery of the metro rather than at a major airport. The aircraft’s short-field performance keeps options open.
For DFW-based freight forwarders handling high-priority, small-volume shipments on intrastate Texas routes, the EMB-120 provides a dedicated charter alternative to commercial belly cargo when the shipment cannot wait for the next scheduled departure and payload requirements are modest. It is a cost-effective option on routes where the payload does not justify a larger aircraft.
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Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia run $2,000 to $3,000 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
EMB-120 Brasilia cargo charter rates are among the lower tiers in the turboprop freighter category, reflecting its smaller size. Rates are quoted per trip. Most useful on routes under 500 nautical miles where payload requirements are under two metric tons.
Other Cargo Aircrafts Available
- ATR 72F
- Antonov An-124 Ruslan
- Boeing 737-400 Freighter
- Boeing 737-800BCF
- Boeing 747-400F
- Boeing 747-8F
Contact
For a quote on a Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia charter from Dallas, TX, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or visit our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.