# Challenge Airlines IL (IATA 5C · ICAO ICL · AWB 700)

> Challenge Airlines (IL) Ltd. is an Israeli all-cargo carrier with IATA designator 5C and AWB prefix 700. It belongs to the Challenge Group and operates its own Boeing freighters out of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion with a European hub in Liège. Until 2022 it traded as CAL Cargo Airlines. For forwarders it provides access to nose-loading capacity for bulky and heavy shipments out of Israel and Liège. Booking and customer service run through Challenge Air Cargo and its general sales agents.

## Quick facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal | Challenge Airlines (IL) Ltd. |
| IATA | `5C` |
| ICAO | `ICL` |
| AWB prefix | `700` |
| Country | IL |
| Group | Challenge Group |
| Tracking | https://www.challenge-group.com/tracking/ |

## Overview

Challenge Airlines (IL) Ltd. is an Israeli all-cargo carrier headquartered in Shoham with its operating base at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). It belongs to the Challenge Group, which also runs Challenge Airlines BE in Belgium and Challenge Airlines MT in Malta alongside its own handling, logistics and maintenance companies. The company was founded in Tel Aviv in 1976 as C.A.L Cargo Air Lines to fly Israeli agricultural exports to Europe; it has held its own Israeli air operator certificate since 1999 and has traded under its present name since 2022. EASA lists it as an authorised third country operator under the code ISR-0002 with AOC number 91/10/99.

The airline operates its own freighters and links Tel Aviv with Europe and North America on scheduled services. Liège (LGG) serves as the European transhipment hub, where the group runs its own handling operation through Liege Air Cargo Handling Services. According to the carrier, as of November 2024 the fleet consisted of two Boeing 747-400F and one Boeing 767-300F. The nose-loading Boeing 747 is a key selling point because it accepts bulky and heavy loads that cannot be carried on other types.

For forwarders: the air waybill runs under AWB prefix 700, the IATA designator is 5C and the ICAO code ICL. Sales and customer service are handled worldwide by Challenge Air Cargo through a network of general sales agents; tracking and the flight schedule are available through the shared Challenge Group portal. The focus is on non-standard cargo: oversize and heavy lift, aerospace parts including engines, dangerous goods, lithium batteries, pharmaceuticals, live animals, valuables and fine art as well as perishables.

## Hubs

- TLV
- LGG

## Fleet

- Boeing 747-400F × 2

- Boeing 767-300F × 1

## Sources

- [Challenge Group – Challenge Airlines IL (offizielle Carrierseite)](https://www.challenge-group.com/expert/challenge-airlines-il/)

- [IATA – Current Airline Members, Challenge Airlines (IL)](https://www.iata.org/en/about/members/airline-list/challenge-airlines-il/315/)

- [EASA – Authorised Third Country Operators, TCO Status Report](https://www.easa.europa.eu/download/tco-lists/TCO%20Status%20Report.pdf)

- [CHAMP Cargosystems – Traxon cargoHUB Airline Connectivity (Stand Juli 2026)](https://www.champ.aero/hubfs/Brochures/Traxon%20cargoHUB%20Airline%20Connectivity.pdf)

- [Challenge Group – About us](https://www.challenge-group.com/about-us/)

- [ch-aviation – Challenge Airlines IL](https://www.ch-aviation.com/airlines/CHK)

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