And then there were ten! With the addition of freighter registrations 9H-CAD and 9H-CAH, Challenge Group now operates a fleet of ten cargo aircraft. The latest two additions, flying under the Maltese AOC, are B767-300BDSF aircraft, which now make up 40% of the Group’s freighter fleet. And with that, Challenge Group has completed its planned 767 conversion program. As the release proudly states: ‘Challenge accepted and achieved!’ and it speaks of a significant milestone in the Group’s fleet expansion, on its way to establishing itself as “a key player in the air cargo industry and enabler to the global trade.” The Group’s focus is on providing custom-made, reliable end-to-end logistics solutions for a whole range of industry requirements, and it is particularly known for tackling the larger, more difficult shipments that do not fit into standard cargo airline service portfolios.
The converted 767s which will be deployed on short- and medium-haul routes, each offer an uplift of 52 tons and a capacity of 400 m³. They have been modified to include specific cargo-related features such as reinforced floors, wide cargo doors to accommodate large shipments, and operate at optimized fuel efficiency.
A larger fleet means a bigger network, and thus Challenge Group now offers a new, twice-weekly service to Delhi, to complement its three existing weekly frequencies to Mumbai, and meeting customer needs when it comes to India’s growing industries such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, textiles, electronics and high tech. Now that the B767s can be deployed on these routes, the Group’s B747 freighters are able to cover more frequencies on long-haul routes connecting Europe, the Far East, and the U.S. Or Zak, Chief Commercial Officer of Challenge Group, commented: “The introduction of these two B767-300 freighters is a significant step forward in Challenge Group’s strategic expansion. Their versatility and fuel efficiency empower us to increase flight frequencies, enhance flexibility for charter operations, and explore new market opportunities. These aircraft will help meet the rising demand for complex verticals and e-commerce, reinforcing Challenge Group’s leadership in the air cargo industry.”