Challenge Airlines MT receives Malta AOC

Malta-registered cargo carrier Challenge Airlines MT has received its air operator’s certificate (AOC).

Part of the airfreight and ground logistics Challenge Group, Challenge Airlines MT has a fleet of two B767-300ERs, both with a payload of 60 tonnes, a pool of 10 pilots available to fly on routes out of the group’s European all-cargo hub at Liège (LGG) airport, in Belgium.

Challenge Airlines MT will operate regular services between Liège, Tel Aviv (TLV), Sharjah (SHJ), New York (JFK), and Mumbai (BOM).

“A Challenge shared is a challenge halved – or, in this case, now shared among three strong players,” said Mauro Porta, accountable AOC manager at Challenge Group.

Challenge Group operates two other airlines: Challenge Airlines IL in Israel and Challenge Airlines BE in Belgium.

Added Porta: “It is the day we have long been waiting for: our new Maltese airline, Challenge Airlines MT, has finally received its AOC and can now officially participate in the many challenging opportunities that are entrusted to the Challenge Group.”

A spokesperson for the group said that the anticipated cargo commodities for the new airline, will likely be a mix of perishables, pharma, and sea-air connections in the short-term, “broadening out to include high yield long-haul shipments such as e-commerce and the group’s known expertise: horses, cars and engines in the long-term”.

Or Zak, commercial vice president of Challenge Group, said: “With the official presentation of our AOC, Challenge Group is ready to implement its carefully thought-out network service.”

Captain Charles Pace, Director General for Civil Aviation in Malta, stated that the Civil Aviation Directorate was “extremely pleased” with the inclusion of Challenge Group to the 9H, the aircraft registration prefix for Malta.

Said Pace: “Challenge Group has been present in Malta for some time now and they have presented us with an exciting plan for the coming months.

“We look forward to the coming months to see the company grow and add additional aircrafts to its fleet.”