The Challenge Group has signed a deal with aircraft lessor AerCap which will see it add two converted Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters to its fleet.
The conversions have been carried out by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and will be registered on the airline group’s Maltese AOC.
They are the first 777-300ERFs converted freighters to be added to a European AOC.
The first of the aircraft has been registered as 9H AOC.
The additions come as the Challenge Group has been rapidly expanding its fleet over the last few years. In December, the carrier added another Boeing 747 freighter, which means the Group’s fleet has trebled in less than three years to six 747-400Fs and four Boeing 767-300Fs.
In October, Challenge Group said it had completed its 767 conversion programme with the deployment of two newly converted 767-300Fs to add to the two already in operation.
Yossi Shoukroun, chief executive of Challenge Group, said: “Today marks a historic moment for Challenge Group and Malta’s aviation sector. The registration of the first-ever Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters in Europe under the 9H AOC is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence.
"These aircraft, with their unparalleled capabilities, will enable us to meet the growing demands of global trade and reinforce our position as a key enabler in the supply chain.”
Challenge Group has also signed up for up to six converted Boeing 777s directly with IAI.
The milestone was celebrated on 17 January at Challenge Group’s Malta Head Office with various dignitaries attending, including the prime minister of Malta.
Last year, the Challenge Group operated over 4,000 flights, transported more than 200,000 tons of cargo and obtained the CEIV Lithium Battery certification to complete its existing Pharma and Live Animals certifications.
"Key shipments included 5,000 horses, 600 aircraft engines and over 25,000 e-commerce and dangerous," the freighter operator said in a press release. "Additionally, the Group introduced five new destinations to its schedule network: Milan, Dubai, Mumbai, Delhi, and Nairobi. These achievements mark the start of even more significant milestones to come."
"After a rapid development, the Group will consolidate its network to ensure sustainable growth while pursuing new market opportunities."
The -300ERSF’s maximum structural payload of 101.6t and greater volume than the 777F mean it is optimised for the lower cargo densities of the e-commerce and express operators rather than the traditional general freight operators.
The -300ERSF has 47 standard 96 x 125in [2.4 x 3.2m] pallet positions in total. So, overall it has 10 more positions than a 777-200LRF factory freighter or 5,800cb ft [164cb m] more volume.
