IAI Marks 25-Year Partnership with Challenge Group, Showcases Fifth 747 Conversion.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a prominent leader in aerospace and defense, hosted a ceremony for Challenge Group to commemorate 25 years of cooperation in maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) as well as passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions. During the event, the delivery of the fifth converted aircraft in Challenge Group’s Boeing 747 fleet was highlighted, following its comprehensive maintenance at IAI. The ceremony, held at IAI’s headquarters, was attended by notable figures including Offer Gilboa, Founder and Owner of Challenge Group; Shmuel Kuzi, Executive VP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group; Shmuel Zakai, Head of CAAI; and various representatives from both companies.
Executive VP and General Manager of IAI’s Aviation Group, Shmuel Kuzi, said “Today, we celebrated 25 years of long-standing and fruitful partnership and cooperation between our companies. IAI is delighted to work with the Challenge Group and to continue to provide it with the best products and services from our extensive product portfolio, which includes MRO, passenger-to-cargo conversions, and more.”
Challenge Group is a distinguished international air cargo integrator, providing customized solutions for complex air cargo handling, air and ground logistics, and aviation services across various industries and commodities. The company has partnered with IAI’s Aviation Group for over two decades in aircraft heavy maintenance and engine overhaul. IAI has been responsible for the overhaul of Challenge Group’s PW4000 engines, offering a highly regarded solution preferred by leading international companies. Recently, the relationship between the two companies has further strengthened, with IAI being chosen by Challenge Group to convert four Boeing 767-300ERs and four 777-300ERs.
Offer Gilboa, Founder and Owner of Challenge Group, said “I am glad to be here today. This is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude for the many years of cooperation between the two companies. Currently, we are doubling our activities and we see IAI’s Aviation Group as a natural partner for this expansion, as it has been for us for the past 25 years. With IAI at our side, we at Challenge are ready to conquer new heights and overcome the “challenges” along the way.״
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Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a premier aerospace and defense company, delivering advanced technologies across space, air, land, naval, cyber, and homeland security sectors for both defense and commercial markets. By merging Israel’s innovative “Start-up Nation” ethos with decades of combat-proven expertise, IAI offers customers customized, cutting-edge solutions to address their unique challenges. Renowned globally, IAI’s Aviation Group excels in passenger-to-freighter conversions, MRO activities, and the development and production of advanced composite material technologies, avionics structures, assemblies, and more. With these capabilities, IAI serves the world’s largest aerospace, cargo, and leasing companies.
Q. – How long has Challenge Group partnered with IAI’s Aviation Group?
A. – For over two decades.
Q. – What engines has IAI overhauled for Challenge Group?
A. – The PW4000 engines.
