Challenge Group launches freighter service to Mumbai
26 / 03 / 2024
B767-300BDSF. Photo: Challenge Group
Challenge Group has decided to launch a scheduled freighter route between Mumbai (BOM) and Liège (LGG).
Operating twice weekly, the service will use the capacity of Challenge Group’s recently acquired second B767 freighter, which has a payload of 52 tons per uplift.
The freighter will mainly carry pharmaceuticals and electronics, but “also the large and complex main deck cargo shipments that are Challenge Group’s expertise”, said the company.
Challenge Group took delivery of its first Boeing 767-300 in August last year.
The company did not announce the arrival of its new aircraft, however, in February, Avia Prime Group-owned MRO JAT Tehnika confirmed it had completed its second Boeing 767-300 passenger to freighter conversion. JAT Tehnika carried out the freighter conversion of Challenge Group’s first 767-300.
Challenge Group is expecting another two converted 767-300 freighters by the third quarter of this year.
“Given that India is striving to become the factory of the world, and the production of key verticals has significantly increased during the past few years, our strategic decision to now launch a regular and direct India-Europe service goes some way towards satisfying the intense customer demand on this route,” said Or Zak, chief commercial officer at Challenge Group. “In fact, after the inaugural flight, we are already adding a second weekly frequency from April onwards.”
He added: “The launch of our Mumbai freighter service is the result of extensive market preparation conducted over the past year. This initiative commenced with consistent charter operations across various airports such as DEL, HYD, and BLR.”
Challenge Group’s Indian cargo capacity, which is offered for bookings to the entire Indian freight forwarding community, is managed by the group’s GSSA partner, Rainbow Aviation.
Challenge Group is on course to operate a mix of 12 Boeing freighters by 2026. In addition to its converted 767 freighters, and current three 747Fs, it plans to add four 777 converted aircraft.
Challenge Group adds first 767-300BDSF to its freighter fleet
