Challenge Group has launched its Boeing 777-300ERSF conversion programme and said there could be up to 10 of the conversion type in its fleet within the next five years.
Challenge has already transferred the first aircraft in its conversion programme to IAI's facilities for modification. The company anticipates converting three more aircraft and has options for an additional four.
This follows the announcement by Challenge in January that it had signed a deal with lessor AerCap to add two Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters converted by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to its fleet.
In total, this means Challenge could eventually operate as many as 10 777-300ERSFs. Each 777-300ERSF has a payload capacity of nearly 100 tons.
Yossi Shoukroun, chief executive of Challenge Group, said: “With the purchase of our very first Boeing 777-300ERSF, which has already been successfully relocated from its previous owner to the IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) conversion plant in Tel Aviv, we are ready to embark on an exciting new journey, giving this passenger aircraft a second life in the world of trade.
"Additionally, our programme foresees the conversion of three further aircraft, with options for an additional four, potentially bringing a total of 10 Boeing 777-300ERSFs into our fleet within the next five years.”
The Group has decided, as previously reported by Air Cargo News at the time of the deal with AerCap, to register the first-ever Boeing 777-300ERSF in the EASA Region under a Maltese AOC (9H). This reinforces Malta’s growing role as a key aviation hub, said Challenge.
Challenge's 777-300ERSF conversion programme follows the completion of its Boeing 767- 300BDSF conversion programme in October 2024. It now has four 767-300BDSF aircraft in its fleet.
Plus, in December 2024, Challenge added another Boeing 747 freighter, which means the Group now has six 747-400Fs.
There are currently three 777-300ER conversion programmes in place with IAI, Kansas Modification Center (KMC) and Mammoth Freighters, plus one 777-200LR programme in development with Mammoth.
IAI converted its first 777-300ERSF for AerCap in 2023, with the first flight for the aircraft taking place in March that year.
However, none of the programmes have so far received approvals from aviation authorities meaning the aircraft are not able to yet be used in a commercial operation.
