The Challenge Group is applying to the Maltese Aviation Authority for an AOC and an operating license. They want to build a new cargo airline. For this purpose, eight widebodies have already been secured.

According to the group's statement, a memorandum of agreement was signed with Israel Aerospace Industries. This provides for the conversion of four Boeing 767-300s and four Boeing 777-300s into freighters. It is expected that the first machine can be taken over in the course of the third quarter of 2022. It will be a B767-300BDSF. The machine type B777-300ERSF will be converted in a second phase. In the period 2025-2026, the group’s fleet will grow to a total of 12 aircraft.

The Challenge Group also declares that the newly founded airline is the third in the group of companies. A meeting with Charles Pace, Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Malta, has already taken place. The application for an AOC and an operating license has now been officially submitted.

The Maltese airline will become part of the existing Challenge Air Cargo Limited, which previously acted as a virtual airline, charter broker and cargo GSA. This expansion will allow the group to expand its commercial capabilities by increasing the number of frequencies to China and North America, and will also serve as a gateway to Africa and other new destinations. The new airline is to receive the fleet of converted B767-300BDSF aircraft.

Challenge Air Cargo Limited has appointed Captain Mauro Porta as the responsible manager to lead this project. Mauro Porta has a lot of experience as a pilot as well as several years in various leading and nominated positions with various carriers. Mauro has also successfully launched a number of new airlines and has all the attributes necessary to take this new airline to heaven.