News / Attack on Israel: nation’s ‘only freighter operator’ maintains operations 

Challenge Airlines, Israel’s only freighter operator, is maintaining its operations despite “the evolving situation” in the country following Saturday’s deadly attacks by Hamas.

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) remains open, but several major carriers have suspended flights over safety concerns.

A senior executive at Challenge Airlines told The Loadstar the cargo airline, re-branded from CAL Cargo a year ago, is  “a key enabler in supplying the country (Israel) with all the commodities needed, and supporting the local economy by linking the nation with the world through our hub in Liege”.

“We will continue to operate without compromising the safety of our staff and assets, of course.  It’s crucial to note that we are following the strict guidance and instructions of the [Israeli] Civil Aviation Authority, with a consistent focus on safety.”

The executive added: “With three AOCs, IL, BE and MT, we have the flexibility to operate our flights with the metal we wish under the designated callsign. What is most important to us is that our schedule is kept as it supposed to be and our operations are not disrupted.”

Lufthansa Cargo told The Loadstar it had cancelled all freighter flights to and from Israel until tomorrow. Following the cancellation of flight LH8290 on Sunday, freighter frequencies are also cancelled tomorrow.

The German carrier operates 777Fs and A321Fs to Tel Aviv. The group’s passenger services to TLV are also suspended until further notice.

“Lufthansa Cargo is continuously monitoring the development of the situation closely and is in close contact with the authorities. Decisions on the future flight programme will be taken on Thursday.”

Air France-KLM has postponed passenger flight operations into TLV until further notice and closed the airport to cargo sales.

“We assess the situation on a continuous basis. Normally, we operate 20 passenger flights/week (Air France 14 and KLM six),” a cargo spokesperson for the combined carrier said.

Kenya-based Astral Aviation confirmed that it had suspended its weekly 757F flight between Nairobi and Tel Aviv – launched in June – which normally operates Mondays with 26 tons of capacity.

“The cargo on board comprises perishables, such as fresh pineapples and fresh fish fillets from Kenya,” CEO Sanjeev Gandhi told The Loadstar. He said the decisionwas due to insecurity in Israel and not to airlines’ insurance cover issues resulting from operating in a war zone.

Meanwhile, bellycargo carrier Virgin Atlantic said it had made eight cancellations between Tel Aviv and London Heathrow, from Saturday until tomorrow.

British Airways has changed its daily flights from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv so that they depart in the morning instead of the afternoon. It is thought the move is to avoid crew having to stay overnight in Israel.

Yesterday, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines suspended direct flights to Israel.

Maersk, meanwhile, told customers: “At this time, port operations across Israel’s major terminals are continuing to function normally and we are not expecting a substantial impact at our key hubs in Ashdod and Haifa. Bookings will therefore continue to be accepted to and from Israel; if you have cargo already booked to or from Israel, we expect to facilitate it as normal.

“The situation is, of course, subject to change at short notice, but we will keep a close eye on developments and inform customers of any updates as soon as we possibly can.”

Maersk’s offices in Tel Aviv and Haifa remain open, and it added it was “pleased to confirm that all employees – as well as their families – are safe and accounted for”.