Challenge Group expands partnership with ECS

Freighter operator and logistics firm Challenge Group has expanded its GSA agreement with the ECS Group to include new locations that will expand the firm’s European reach.

The companies confirmed that over the past few months, they had added Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine in eastern Europe to their existing agreement.

ECS had previously provided GSA services in Germany, France, Scandinavia, Singapore and Vietnam.

The move had broadened the feeder capture area for Challenge Group’s main European hub in Liege, from where it operates freighter flights to the US, China, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and beyond – including core markets in Hong Kong, India, Kenya.

The airline currently operates Boeing 747-400F and Boeing 767-300BDSF aircraft and will soon add converted Boeing 777-300ERSFs to its portfolio, which will allow it to add new routes to Asia and South America in the future.

Challenge Group’s chief commercial officer, Or Zak, said: “In ECS Group, we know that we have a partner capable of matching our corporate mission and network, and we are delighted to have kicked off the next step in our strategic expansion.”

Jean Ceccaldi, chief executive, ECS Group, added: “We are confident that our GSSA teams in Eastern Europe will also achieve significant market expansion and commercial growth for Challenge Group – particularly within its core target industries such as industrial machinery, engines, spare parts, and drilling equipment.”

In addition to these vertical business flows, Challenge Group’s product portfolio includes pharmaceuticals, automotives, aerospace, perishables and live animal transports.

The two said that commercial processes and operational planning are enhanced through ECS sister company’s CargoTech software solutions, such as Apollo for business intelligence reporting, SkyPallet for capacity usage, and Rotate for market information.