Challenge Airlines MT (X6, Malta International) has obtained its Maltese Air Operator's Certificate - #MT-72 - as it prepares to launch cargo operations with two B767-300ER(BDSF)s.
The airline expects to operate cargo-only flights out of its base at Liège to Sharjah, New York JFK, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, and Mumbai International in cooperation with sister carriers Challenge Airlines BE (X7, Liège) and Challenge Airlines IL (5C, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion).
Challenge Airlines MT took its first unconverted B767-300ER, 9H-CAD (msn 30301), in mid-September 2022. The aircraft was used for the certification process and subsequently ferried to Leipzig/Halle on October 6, 2022, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. It remains under maintenance at the German hub for the time being. A second unit of the type, N899MF (msn 25588), is currently under conversion at Belgrade Nikola Tesla.
Challenge Group has four B767-300(ERBDSF)s due from Israel Aerospace Industries. The other two units will be deployed under the group's Israeli AOC, replacing the two B747 freighters moved to the Belgian AOC. The first of the pair due to be inducted by Challenge Airlines IL, VP-BOY (msn 29435), is currently under conversion at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion and is expected to redeliver as a freighter by the end of the year.
