Challenge Group took delivery of Europe's first B777-300(ERSF) on February 27, 2026, and placed it on the air operator's certificate (AOC) of its Maltese unit, Challenge Airlines MT (X6, Malta International).
9H-CAZ (msn 32795) was ferried after maintenance at Malta International to Liège. The B777 is now operational, the carrier said, but it has yet to enter into revenue operations. The 18.5-year-old aircraft was previously operated by Emirates as a passenger aircraft. It is being leased from AerCap after conversion by Israel Aerospace Industries.
Chief commercial officer Or Zak told ch-aviation in a recent interview that the group planned to induct a total of six converted B777s in 2026. The first three aircraft are earmarked for the Maltese unit, while some of the remaining three may be placed with Challenge Airlines BE.
The group's fleet also comprises four B767-300ER(BDSF)s, one B747-400(BCF), two B747-400ERFs, and three B747-400FSCDs split across the Maltese, Belgian, and Israeli certificates.
