AviaAM Leasing delivered a Boeing 747-400F aircraft to Challenge Group, an international air cargo company composed of eight divisions and three airlines: Challenge Airlines IL, Challenge Airlines BE, and Challenge Air Cargo.
The delivery of the Boeing 747-400F, registered as 4X-ICK, took place in Liege, Belgium, on February 2nd. The aircraft is 29 years old and was initially delivered to its first operator, Singapore Airlines Cargo, on August 5th, 1994.
Its previous operator, Air Atlanta Icelandic, flew this aircraft for the British company Magma Aviation.
The aircraft will enter service for the Israeli subsidiary of Challenge Group, Challenge Airlines (IL). The subsidiary operates a fleet consisting of four aircraft: two Boeing 747-400F and two 767-300, one of which is configured as a Preighter (cargo aircraft in the cabin).
Challenge Group
Challenge Group is an international air cargo group with eight divisions headquartered in Europe. The Group operates a fleet of nine Boeing aircraft, comprising five 747s and four 767s.
The group consists of three subsidiaries spread across Europe and Israel: Challenge Airlines IL, Challenge Airlines BE, and Challenge Airlines MT.
Challenge Airlines IL, founded as CAL Cargo Airlines in 1976, is an Israeli cargo airline based at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Challenge Airlines BE, established as ACE Air Cargo Europe and renamed ACE Belgium Freighters in 2018, is a cargo airline headquartered at Liège Airport. The airline operates air cargo services across Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Challenge Airlines MT is the newest company, having received its Air Operator Certificate in 2022.
