Challenge Air Group to launch Maltese unit with B767s

Challenge Group to add B767, B777 freighters

Air Namibia in bailout talks

Air Namibia (SW, Windhoek Int'l) is negotiating a state bailout, but has declined to confirm details of a rescue plan reportedly requiring NAD193 million Namibian dollars (USD11.6 million) to restart the airline following the country’s COVID-19 lockdown.

“At present, we are still negotiating with the shareholder about new figures, which are not yet finalised,” spokesman Twaku Kayofa told ch-aviation in response to a leaked document quoted by Namibia’s New Era newspaper. “The article is not the final position of the airline, therefore we can’t comment on its contents,” he said.

“Our operations have been negatively affected by COVID-19 due to the decrease in travel demand. Furthermore, the continued suspension of our regional and international flights have a detrimental effect on the airline’s already difficult cash flow position. We continue to redefine our strategy for the restart of all operations when borders are reopened eventually, notwithstanding the impact of COVID-19 on global traffic demand," Kayofa said.

He confirmed Air Namibia’s domestic operations restarted on September 20, 2020, serviced by a 37-seater E135 following the...

ACE Belgium Freighters rebrands to Challenge Airlines

ACE Belgium Freighters (FRH, Liège) is changing its name to Challenge Airlines (X7, Liège) to settle a trademark dispute so that it can operate to the United States.

ACE Belgium Freighters was given its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by Belgian authorities in April 2019 and in May that year was given tentative approval from the US Department of Transport (DoT) to begin scheduled and charter services to the United States. This was scuppered by Alaska Central Express (KO, Anchorage Ted Stevens), which asked the DoT to halt the process because of alleged trademark infringement.

On June 12 this year, ACE Belgium Freighters petitioned the DoT for a new foreign air carrier permit under the Challenge Airlines name. In its application, the carrier said the DoT had in May 2019 “tentatively approved issuance of ACE Belgium Freighters’ foreign air carrier permit, but has not yet taken action to issue the permit. ACE Belgium Freighters’ name change to Challenge Airlines (BE) SA will become effective on or about June 15, 2020.”

“Challenge...

Israel's CAL Cargo Air Lines targets pax charter niche