Challenge Group has made its debut in Africa with the launch of a new cargo route connecting its hub at Liege Airport (LGG) in Belgium to Nairobi (NBO
Challenge Group has made its debut in Africa with the launch of a new cargo route connecting its hub at Liege Airport (LGG) in Belgium to Nairobi (NBO) in Kenya.
The service operates twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays. It utilizes a Boeing 767 freighter with a cargo capacity of 400 cubic meters and a payload of up to 52 tons. Nairobi is a vital market for perishable goods, and Challenge Group aims to support the growing airfreight demand from Africa.
Expansion strategy
Chief Commercial Officer Or Zak emphasized the company’s customer-focused approach in establishing the Nairobi route, highlighting its significance in connecting Nairobi with Liege’s robust infrastructure for handling and distributing perishable cargo.
The Nairobi service is part of Challenge Group’s broader expansion strategy. In 2023, the company launched new routes to Delhi, India, and added a service connecting Liege to Dubai World Central (DWC) via Tel Aviv (TLV). This growth has been supported by the completion of its Boeing 767 conversion program, which added two converted 767-300 freighters to its fleet, bringing the total to four of this aircraft type. These freighters have enhanced the Group’s flexibility, freeing up its Boeing 747s for long-haul routes and increasing connectivity between Europe, the Far East, and the US.
Challenge Group now operates a fleet of 10 aircraft across three airlines: Challenge Airlines IL in Israel, Challenge Airlines BE in Belgium, and Challenge Airlines MT in Malta. This expansion demonstrates the Group’s commitment to meeting global airfreight demand and bolstering its presence in emerging markets.