Challenge Group has been undergoing a major rebranding since it embarked on its harmonised restructuring in 2020.
Headed by CEO, Yossi Shoukroun, the Group incorporates three airlines CAL Cargo Airlines based in Israel, Challenge Airlines BE based in Belgium, Challenge Airlines MT and Challenge Air Cargo, the commercial arm of the Group, both based in Malta.
It also incorporates its own ground handling company in Liege, Belgium called Challenge Handling, as well as its strong European road feeder network out of Liege called Challenge Logistics. Challenge Aviation, an aircraft and parts leasing division and Challenge Technic, a comprehensive line maintenance provider join, completing the Group.
The Group’s cargo airline experience dates back to its CAL Cargo Airlines’ beginnings in 1976, and its handling division (previously known as LACHS) was established in 1997.
The other companies were founded over the course of the past six years. Malta-based Challenge Air Cargo is the latest addition and is due to commence operations this year.
Of Challenge Group’s business, 65% is non-standard cargo that requires industry-specific handling solutions and many of these have been for outsize freight shipments.
The Group is in possession of Europe’s largest 52-tonne high-loader, located in Liege. From temperature-sensitive shipments (IATA CEIV Pharma certified in the air and on the ground), to dangerous goods, all the way through to live animals, Challenge Group says it is “trained, certified, and experienced in handling and flying all kinds of commodities”
Over the last four years, the company has trebled its capacity and now handles 300,000 tonnes of cargo per year, with an ambition to reach half a million tonnes annually by 2023.
Today, it counts 850 employees and a fleet of four B747-400F. These will soon be complemented by four 767-300BDSF and four 777-300ERSF conversions over the next two years, Challenge Group follows a 5-year expansion strategy in terms of further fleet growth, exploring new business areas, and continuing to develop its rapidly expanding first and last mile services across Europe and the US, to provide quality end-to-end solutions to its customers.
“Air cargo is a people-driven industry, full of down-to-earth, hands-on characters. We identify strongly with this direct, solution-focused approach, and have incorporated company values that precisely reflect this attitude: Passion, Authenticity, Agility. The perfect ingredients for the success of our ‘Challenge Accepted’ promise. We enjoy getting things done!” says Yossi Shoukroun, CEO of Challenge Group.
