Challenge Group starts the new year with an historic, inaugural Challenge Airlines flight out of Istanbul, Türkiye on 25 January 2023.
The freighter will carry a mix of Türkiye’s main export products: garments, fabrics, and automotive parts, all from key international customers.
This event signifies the start of Challenge Airlines’ first scheduled operations out of Istanbul Airport, linking Türkiye to Liège in Belgium, and from there to destinations across Europe, as well as to the U.S. and Far East. From the end of this month onwards, Challenge Airlines will operate two Boeing 747F flights per week – on Days 3 and 7 – totalling a joint capacity uplift offer of 240 tons.
“As the world’s 29th largest exporter with one in two of its exports heading to Europe, Türkiye is a significant contributor to global trade, and Challenge Group, with our established Liège hub at heart of Europe, is a perfect business fit” says Or Zak, Commercial Vice President of Challenge Group.
“Some 3 million metric tons are handled at Turkish airports each year. Istanbul, in particular, is deservedly making its way up the international cargo airports ranking ladder, and has long been of strategic interest to us. The airport is a fitting pioneer for our planned Group expansion on the east side of the globe. Merhaba, Istanbul, and here’s to a long and successful service!”.
And since the World Cargo Symposium will also be taking place in Istanbul, on 25-27 April this year, attendees can pencil a reminder in their diaries to meet Challenge Group. The teams look forward to answering any questions you may have and discussing potential network requirements in person. Challenge Group is always open to growing and exploring new markets to enhance the value proposition offered to its customers.
Challenge Group is a unique, international air cargo conglomeration offering tailored air freight industry solutions from handling, air and ground logistics, to aviation services, for a wide range of industries and commodities.
Challenge Group employs 850 people across three airlines (Challenge Airlines IL in Israel, Challenge Airlines BE in Belgium, Challenge Airlines MT in Malta), a commercial division (Challenge Air Cargo) in Malta, a ground handling company (Challenge Handling in Liege, Belgium), a European road feeder provider (Challenge Logistics in Liege, Belgium), an aircraft and parts leasing division (Challenge Aviation), and a comprehensive line maintenance provider (Challenge Technic). The company has trebled its capacity over the past four years and now handles 300,000+ tonnes of cargo per year.
