Company profile
CAL Cargo Airlines is an established Israeli all-cargo airline, now named Challenge Airlines IL and part of the Challenge Group air cargo group. It was founded in 1976, obtained its Israeli air operator certificate (AOC) in 1999 and changed its name from CAL Cargo Airlines to Challenge Airlines IL in June 2022. The head office is in Shoham, Israel, near Tel Aviv; the main hub is Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV / LLBG) and the European secondary hub is Liege Airport in Belgium (LGG / EBLG). Carrier codes are IATA 5C and ICAO ICL, the radio call sign is CAL, the official website is cal-cargo.com and the group also uses challenge-group.com.
On fleet and capacity, Challenge Group as a whole operates about 5 Boeing 747-400F freighters across three air operator certificate holders in Israel, Belgium and Malta. Challenge Airlines IL, under the Israeli AOC, operates about 2 Boeing 747-400F aircraft, 4X-ICA (Boeing 747-400ERF) and 4X-ICK (Boeing 747-412F). The airline has no Boeing 777F in service, and the Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters ordered by the group have not entered service with the Israeli entity. The Boeing 747-400F is a nose-door freighter with a payload of about 120 tonnes, suited to very long and outsize cargo.
On China business, CAL is currently the main operator of direct all-cargo flights from China to Israel. The scheduled all-cargo service from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Tel Aviv TLV is flown with the Boeing 747-400F about 3 times a week, with ground handling by the China Eastern Logistics Pudong West cargo terminal from July 2026. Flight 5C1851 from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Tel Aviv TLV is a direct Boeing 747 freighter service, planned to start on 30 October 2026. The Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) to Tel Aviv routing makes a technical stop at Liege LGG in Belgium, about 2 times a week with the Boeing 747-400F, carrying mainly auto parts, industrial equipment and mail. Some Israeli all-cargo flights carrying an LY sales code are actually operated with CAL aircraft.
For Chinese shippers, CAL's value is bulk and heavy direct capacity from China to Israel with the Boeing 747-400F, and distribution from the TLV and LGG hubs to Europe, the United States, Africa and the Cyprus market. Liege LGG as a European hub serves the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and other European countries, the transatlantic sector connects to the US market, and the Africa direction draws on the group's perishables expertise for flowers and agricultural produce. Chinese auto parts, industrial equipment, high-value electronics and pharmaceutical chemicals can be shipped direct or with a stop from PVG, HKG or CGO.
On directional flows, the outbound leg carries mainly Chinese exports of auto parts, industrial equipment, electronic products and mail; the return leg brings high-value electronics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals from Israel and Europe, and flowers and perishables transhipped from Africa via LGG and Israel are a group speciality. CAL has no own office in China; its China business runs through ground agents and general sales agents such as the China Eastern Logistics Pudong West cargo terminal. Current schedules and space are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
CAL complements El Al Cargo. El Al currently carries smaller lots and urgent cargo in passenger belly holds, while CAL takes bulk heavy freight and long or outsize pieces on the Boeing 747-400F, and some all-cargo flights carrying an LY sales code are actually flown with CAL aircraft. When planning cargo to Israel and Europe, shippers can combine the two capacity types by commodity weight and transit requirement: heavy and industrial goods on the freighter, smaller high-value lots in the belly. Space on both requires advance booking through an agent in China, especially in peak season and at year end.
International air services connecting from China
CAL's China-origin service is built around the Boeing 747-400F, departing from Shanghai Pudong, Hong Kong and Zhengzhou, flying direct or with a stop at Liege into Tel Aviv TLV, then distributing through the TLV and LGG hubs. For Europe, cargo is transhipped at Liege LGG to the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and other countries; for the transatlantic, LGG or TLV connects to the US market; southbound, Israel and Liege connect to Africa, mainly for flowers and agricultural perishables; and to the southeast, Cyprus and the Israeli domestic market.
By commodity, auto parts, industrial equipment, electromechanical products and mail suit the roughly 2 weekly 747-400F flights from Zhengzhou via Liege to Tel Aviv; high-value electronics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals suit the 3 weekly direct freighter from Shanghai Pudong; shippers in south China and the Greater Bay Area can use flight 5C1851 from Hong Kong, from October 2026, direct to Tel Aviv. On the return leg, high-value electronics and pharmaceutical chemicals from Israel and transhipped Europe, plus flowers and perishables from Africa via LGG, can be booked back. Payload and space are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
On gateway choice, shippers in east China can use the 3 weekly direct freighter from Shanghai Pudong; shippers in central and north China can route through Zhengzhou Xinzheng with a Liege transit; shippers in south China can use the direct Hong Kong flight. Liege LGG handles European distribution and transatlantic connections, Tel Aviv TLV handles the Middle East and Africa, and the two hubs back each other up. When peak season space is tight, the Liege routing can be used to adjust. Space and loading conditions at each gateway are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
| Connection direction | Main destinations | What it means for Chinese shippers |
|---|---|---|
| Israel domestic | Tel Aviv TLV main hub | Direct all-cargo from China to Israel, covering Israeli import demand |
| European hub deconsolidation and distribution | Liege LGG in Belgium, transhipping to the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and others | One waybill from Liege distributes to several European countries, matching Chinese industrial exports to Europe |
| Transatlantic extension | Main US gateways (connected via LGG or TLV) | Transatlantic freighter capacity, suited to high-value and time-critical interline cargo |
| Africa and Cyprus | Main African points, Cyprus and Israel's neighbours | Group perishables expertise, covering African flower and agricultural flows |
| Backhaul cargo | High-value electronics and pharmaceutical chemicals from Israel and Europe, African flowers | Two-way flow matching, with perishable and high-value return cargo on dedicated capacity |
The table summarises the main directions from public sources. Times are local. Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Route network: China to the Tel Aviv and Liege dual hubs
The map shows the all-cargo network from China distributed through the TLV and LGG hubs, seen from a Europe-Asia-Africa perspective. Amber arcs are the mainline from the main Chinese gateways to Tel Aviv, dark green arcs are the Zhengzhou sector via Liege and the dual-hub distribution directions. Actual points and schedules are subject to carrier confirmation on the day.
Freight advantages for Chinese shippers
Nose-door outsize loads on the 747F
The nose of the Boeing 747-400F opens upward, so very long and outsize cargo can be loaded whole through the forward door. Payload is about 120 tonnes, which suits Chinese exports of auto parts and industrial equipment.
TLV / LGG dual hubs
Tel Aviv and Liege sit at the Middle East and European ends of the network, so Chinese cargo reaches Europe, the United States, Africa and Cyprus at the same time, and the hubs can back each other up in peak season.
Perishables expertise
Challenge Group has experience in African flowers and agricultural produce, with established temperature control and priority space procedures, which suits fresh produce, flowers and pharmaceutical goods moving in and out of China.
Dangerous goods experience
CAL has built dangerous goods and chemical handling experience in freighter operations, so Chinese chemical samples, lithium batteries and magnetic cargo can be declared and loaded within freighter limits.
Three direct flights a week from Pudong
Shanghai Pudong to Tel Aviv runs about 3 times a week with the Boeing 747-400F, handled on the ground by the China Eastern Logistics Pudong West cargo terminal, giving high-value east China cargo a steady freighter schedule.
Three gateways to choose from
Direct from Shanghai Pudong, direct from Hong Kong, and Zhengzhou with a Liege stop cover shippers in east, south and central China, so the routing can be matched to commodity and transit time.
Aircraft types and capacity mix
CAL (Challenge Airlines IL) operates the Boeing 747-400F as its only main type and has no Boeing 777F in service. Challenge Group as a whole operates about 5 Boeing 747-400F aircraft across three AOC holders in Israel, Belgium and Malta; the Israeli entity, Challenge Airlines IL, operates about 2, 4X-ICA (Boeing 747-400ERF) and 4X-ICK (Boeing 747-412F). The Boeing 777-300ERSF conversions ordered by the group have not entered service with the Israeli entity.
The Boeing 747-400F is a nose-door freighter whose forward cargo door opens upward. Payload is about 120 tonnes and it can take very long and outsize pieces, which makes it the right aircraft for bulk industrial goods and heavy freight from China to Israel. Loading is by ULD and loose load, and piece weight and volume are limited by the forward door dimensions and floor loading, so overweight and outsize pieces must be declared in advance. Accurate piece, weight and dimension data at the booking stage makes the loading plan far more predictable. ULD types are matched to the aircraft on the route and to the equipment at the destination terminal, and the loading plan is confirmed by Goodhope Freight and the carrier against the space available that day.
Boeing 747-400ERF (4X-ICA)
A freighter in service with Challenge Airlines IL, with a nose-door design suited to very long and heavy cargo. It flies the scheduled all-cargo routes from Shanghai Pudong and Hong Kong to Tel Aviv with a payload of about 120 tonnes.
Boeing 747-412F (4X-ICK)
A Boeing 747-400F series freighter of the same family, forming the Israeli entity's capacity together with 4X-ICA. It flies Zhengzhou via Liege to Tel Aviv and similar routes, carrying mainly auto parts and industrial equipment.
Group 747-400F fleet
Challenge Group's roughly 5 Boeing 747-400F aircraft are spread across the Israeli, Belgian and Maltese AOCs, and distribution capacity at the European secondary hub Liege LGG is drawn from the group fleet.
Boeing 777-300ERSF (planned)
The new-generation freighter conversions ordered by the group have not entered service with the Israeli entity. When they do, long-haul freighter capacity and fuel efficiency will improve further; the routes they enter are subject to carrier announcement.
Payload figures are compiled from manufacturer and airline public data; actual payload is subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking. CAL has no Boeing 777F in service.
Airports served in China and schedule connections
CAL flies the Boeing 747-400F from the main Chinese gateways to Tel Aviv and Liege. It has no own office in China, and ground handling is provided by agents such as the China Eastern Logistics Pudong West cargo terminal. Reference connections from the main Chinese gateways are as follows; times are local, schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
| China origin ports | Connecting hub | Capacity type | Indicative schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong PVG | Tel Aviv TLV | Boeing 747-400F direct freighter | About 3 flights a week, ground handling by the China Eastern Logistics Pudong West cargo terminal from July 2026; schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking |
| Hong Kong HKG | Tel Aviv TLV | Boeing 747 freighter, direct (5C1851) | Planned to start on 30 October 2026; schedule subject to carrier confirmation |
| Zhengzhou Xinzheng CGO | Liege LGG (technical stop) to Tel Aviv TLV | Boeing 747-400F freighter | About 2 flights a week, carrying mainly auto parts, industrial equipment and mail; schedule subject to carrier confirmation |
| Xiamen XMN / other gateways | Via PVG, HKG or LGG | Freighter / connecting service | No published scheduled direct service; shipping through a main gateway is recommended |
The carrier has no own office in China; cargo sales run through Shanghai ground agents and general sales agents, and space and connections are subject to confirmation by Goodhope Freight on the day of booking.
Cargo booking and connection path in China
Submit shipping instructions
The shipper gives Goodhope Freight the origin gateway (PVG / HKG / CGO), the European or Israeli destination city, the commodity, piece weight and dimensions and the transit requirement, and we judge the best combination of a direct flight to Tel Aviv or a routing via Liege.
Confirm space and rate
Goodhope Freight books Boeing 747-400F space through CAL's China ground agent or general sales agent, confirms the rate, the nose-door loading conditions and the ULD types required, and declares heavy and long pieces separately.
Departure and transit connections
After handover at the Chinese gateway, cargo flies direct from PVG or HKG, or from CGO with a Liege stop, to Tel Aviv, then connects to Europe, the United States, Africa or Cyprus as the flight plan allows.
Backhaul booking
High-value electronics and pharmaceutical chemicals from Israel and transhipped Europe, and flowers and perishables from Africa, can be booked on the return leg through the TLV and LGG hubs back to a Chinese gateway, with perishable and temperature-controlled cargo handled to the relevant procedures.
During booking, outsize and overweight pieces, nose-door loads, temperature-controlled cargo and dangerous goods must be declared in advance so Goodhope Freight can confirm the forward door loading conditions and the ULD types needed. Flight times are local, schedules change with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking. New services such as 5C1851 from Hong Kong are planned from 30 October 2026, and Goodhope Freight provides the rate, space and loading conditions before booking; urgent cargo can be submitted for priority space, subject to carrier approval.
Specialist freight services from China
Nose-door transport for outsize cargo.The forward cargo door of the Boeing 747-400F opens upward, so very long and outsize cargo can be loaded whole through the nose. Payload is about 120 tonnes, which suits Chinese exports of auto parts, industrial equipment and large electromechanical products.
Perishables and flowers.Challenge Group has experience in African flowers and agricultural produce, with established temperature-controlled space and priority handling. Fresh produce, flowers and pharmaceutical products moving in and out of China can be loaded by temperature range and handled to perishable procedures throughout.
Dangerous goods and chemicals.CAL has built dangerous goods and chemical handling experience in freighter operations. Chinese chemical samples, lithium batteries and magnetic cargo can be declared in advance within freighter limits, and loadability is confirmed jointly by Goodhope Freight and the carrier.
Dual-hub European distribution.A dual-hub arrangement at Tel Aviv TLV and Liège LGG in Belgium. Cargo from China can be transhipped through Liège to the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and other European countries, or routed through Tel Aviv to the Middle East and Africa, so one air waybill serves several markets.
Dedicated service for auto parts.The Zhengzhou–Liège–Tel Aviv route carries mainly auto parts and industrial equipment, with about 2 Boeing 747-400F flights a week. It suits bulk exports from China's automotive supply chain and manufacturing sector.
Backhaul consolidation for high-value and perishable cargo.Backhaul cargo from Israel and Europe to China is mainly high-value electronics and pharmaceutical chemicals, with flowers and other perishables transhipped from Africa via LGG as a specialty. We can consolidate at both hubs and book space back to China shipment by shipment.
Direct freighter service from Pudong.About 3 direct Boeing 747-400F flights a week link Shanghai Pudong to Tel Aviv, handled on the ground by the Eastern Air Logistics (EAL) PVG West cargo terminal, which gives high-value electronics and pharmaceutical cargo from East China a stable freighter schedule.
Group-level engineering and customs coordination.Challenge Group provides logistics, maintenance and customs clearance as one coordinated service, so freighter cargo from Chinese shippers follows the same handling standards at both hubs and connections are more predictable. Confirm details with the carrier on the day of booking.
China contact
CAL (Challenge Airlines IL) has no publicly listed own office in China. Its China business runs through ground agents such as the EAL PVG West cargo terminal of Eastern Air Logistics and through general sales agents, and the Shanghai Pudong route has been handled on the ground by that terminal since July 2026. Shipment status and flight information can be checked at cal-cargo.com. Contact its local agent in China, or ask us to make the introduction. Schedules and ground handling arrangements are subject to the carrier's latest publication.
Our company, Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited, website https://goodhope86.com, accepts freighter air cargo bookings from major Chinese gateways (Shanghai Pudong, Hong Kong, Zhengzhou) to Tel Aviv in Israel and, via Liège, to Europe, the United States and Africa. We handle booking at the Chinese gateway, transhipment and deconsolidation through the TLV and LGG hubs, and backhaul consolidation of high-value and perishable cargo, and we can help Chinese shippers reach CAL's ground agents and general sales channels in China for current capacity and schedule information.