Challenge Group prepares for 2nd 777-300ERSF delivery amid network expansion

Malta-based Challenge Group is preparing to receive its next 777-300ERSF to support expansion across its Europe-China and Europe-India networks. The 2006-vintage unit 33863, which completed a post-conversion test flight in Tel Aviv (TLV) on June 30, will join Challenge’s 2007-vintage 777-300ERSF (32795), which this month began flying between Liege (LGG) and Mumbai (BOM). [caption id="attachment_57298282" align="aligncenter" width="1193"] Challenge started flying unit 32795 earlier in 2026. (Courtesy/Challenge Group)[/caption] The twice-weekly route, previously operated by Challenge’s 767-300BDSFs, carries pharmaceuticals, life sciences, high-value shipments and general cargo, Or Zak, chief commercial officer of Challenge Group, told Cargo Facts . Although the group announced last month that it would also launch a 777-300ERSF route between LGG and Shanghai (PVG) in July, unit 32795 — the only 777-300ERSF in Challenge’s fleet — does not appear to have flown to PVG yet. The thrice-weekly LGG-PVG route will carry electronics, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, aerospace and high-value cargo, Zak said. “Shanghai is one of the world’s most important logistics gateways and sits at the center of many global supply chains,” Zak said. “As international manufacturing, technology production and semiconductor demand continue to evolve, businesses increasingly require reliable air cargo connectivity between China and key markets across Europe and the Americas.” India and China are among the world’s most important trade and production hubs and demand for reliable, flexible cargo solutions between these regions continues to grow, he said. More broadly, trade lanes connecting Asia and Europe are “seeing a lot of pullback from air, and a shift to sea freight,” John Peyton Burnett, founder of data aggregator TAC Index, told Cargo Facts . The frontloading of goods by air to Europe has ended and e-commerce shipments to Europe are seeing a shift to sea, he said. On July 1, the European Union began applying a temporary 3-euro customs duty per item on imported consignments worth as much as 150 euros. The measure follows evidence that a significant portion of low-value e-commerce imports fail to meet EU safety and compliance standards, undermining fair competition, the directorate general for taxation and customs union said in a release. The temporary fee will end July 1, 2028. Big Twin fleet expansion Challenge Group took delivery of unit 32795 as its first 777-300ERSF in February , making it the third operator of the IAI Big Twin conversion. Unit 32795 is on lease from AerCap and operates with the group’s Malta-based carrier, Challenge Airlines MT. The group previously told Cargo Facts that it also expects to take delivery of unit 33868 on lease from AerCap this year. In March, Challenge successfully bid to acquire two more ex-Jet Airways 777-300ERSFs (35157 and 35160), joining three sister units (35158, 35159 and 35162) it purchased in February. The group expects to have six of the type by the end of 2027. In addition to its 777s, Challenge Group operates five production 747-400Fs, one 747-400BCF and four 767-300BDSFs across its AOCs in Malta, Belgium and Israel. Cargo Facts Symposium 2026, the premier event for the freighter aircraft and air cargo industries, will take place in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 21-23. Find out more and register by Sept. 4 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

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