Challenge Group launches new freighter service to Bengaluru

Challenge Group has expanded its presence in the Indian market by adding Bengaluru as its newest destination.

The airline has deployed its 50-tonne capacity B767-300BDSF freighter for a new weekly service to Bengaluru. Operating every Sunday, the flight will run on the Tel Aviv (TLV) – Bengaluru (BLR) – Tel Aviv route. With the first flight scheduled to take place this Sunday (May 4th).

Announcing the development on LinkedIn, the company stated, “From pharmaceuticals to high-tech components and more, this new route is designed to serve India’s thriving industries and support global supply chains where it matters most by connecting the Indian sub-continent with strategic markets like the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S.

The airline operates three weekly freighter services to Mumbai and two to Delhi, utilising its Boeing 767 freighter fleet.

In addition to its expansion in India, the airline operates several other key international routes. These include daily flights from Tel Aviv (TLV) to Liege (LGG), a twice-weekly service from Tel Aviv to New York John F. Kennedy (JFK), five weekly flights from Liege to New York JFK, and weekly flights from Liege to both Atlanta (ATL) and Houston (IAH).

In addition, the airline also operates on routes such as Tel Aviv to Dubai World Central (DWC), Tel Aviv to Nairobi (NBO), Tel Aviv to Zhengzhou (CGO), and Hong Kong (HKG) to Dubai World Central.

The current fleet of Challenge Group consists of 10 aircraft, including six Boeing 747 freighters and four Boeing 767 freighters, according to data from Planespotters.net.

Earlier in January this year, Challenge Group achieved a major milestone by registering Europe’s first Boeing 777-300 Extended Range Special Freighter (ERSF), also known as the 'Big Twin,' under the 9H Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

Challenge Group has recently joined FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations) as an affiliate member.