CAL Cargo Airlines

CAL Cargo Airlines, officially rebranded as Challenge Airlines IL in 2022, is an Israeli cargo airline that was established in June 1976. Initially, the airline operated by leasing aircraft from El Al, but by December 1999, it transitioned to operating scheduled services using its own fleet after obtaining the necessary Israeli government licenses. A significant development in its history occurred in 1997 when CAL acquired the Liège Airport Cargo Handling Services (LACHS) in Belgium, a facility it continues to fully own and operate, specializing in non-standard cargo. In 2010, the airline was privately acquired by Offer Gilboa, which led to an expansion of its flight operations.

CAL Cargo Airlines, now Challenge Airlines IL, operates extensive international scheduled cargo flights and charter services. Its route network spans across Europe, the United States, the Far East, and recently includes destinations in the UAE. Key cities served in its network include Tel Aviv, Liège, New York (JFK), Zhengzhou, Hong Kong, Oslo, and Cyprus, among others within the broader Challenge Group network. As a dedicated cargo carrier, it does not hold membership in major passenger airline alliances such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. The airline distinguishes itself through specialized cargo handling services, particularly for non-standard shipments, including temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals, live animals, dangerous goods, oversized or overweight cargo, fresh perishables, and valuable items like fine art.