New Boeing 777 freighter operation will link Navi Mumbai, Liège and Chicago Rockford, strengthening pharmaceutical logistics and specialised cargo connectivity between India, Europe and the United States.
Challenge Group is preparing to introduce a new twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter service connecting India, Europe and the United States, with Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) positioned as its US gateway.
The new operation will originate at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), India, operate through Liège Airport (LGG) in Belgium and continue to Chicago Rockford, creating an additional cargo corridor linking three important international markets.
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The service is expected to strengthen Challenge Group’s North American presence while expanding Rockford’s international freighter network. Pharmaceuticals, oversized and out-of-gauge shipments will be among the principal commodities targeted by the operation.
The routing will also provide opportunities for eastbound and westbound cargo movements, with Liège serving as the European connecting hub for onward distribution.
For shipments departing Chicago Rockford, Challenge Group will offer connections through Liège to destinations across Europe and onward services to Navi Mumbai.
The operation will be supported by the group’s established European road-feeder network, which handles approximately 1,500 truck movements per month, providing additional distribution flexibility beyond its scheduled freighter network.
Pharmaceutical logistics central to the new operation
Temperature-controlled pharmaceutical transportation is expected to be a major focus of the new service, with Chicago Rockford coordinating dedicated refrigerated trucking capacity to support shipments arriving from India and Europe.
The airport will facilitate onward transportation to destinations across the Rockford region and pharmaceutical warehousing facilities in Chicago.
The arrangement is intended to provide shippers with an integrated transportation solution combining international freighter capacity with temperature-controlled ground distribution.
Rockford’s location offers access to the wider Chicago industrial and pharmaceutical market, while its dedicated freighter infrastructure provides an alternative to the congestion associated with larger passenger airports.
Or Zak, Group Chief Commercial Officer of Challenge Group, described Chicago as a strategically important market serving a wide range of industries dependent on reliable international cargo connectivity.
He said the new operation would create additional opportunities for customers moving specialised cargo between India, Europe and the United States.
Rockford strengthens its position as a US cold-chain gateway
The launch represents a further step in Chicago Rockford International Airport’s efforts to attract international freighter operators and develop its capabilities as a specialised cargo gateway.
According to Zack Oakley, Executive Director of RFD, the new service reflects the airport’s ongoing work to establish a dedicated cold-chain corridor into the United States.
He said the airport sees considerable potential to develop the partnership beyond the initial twice-weekly operation, including increasing flight frequencies and introducing additional specialised cargo services.
Rene Espinet, Vice President of Cargo Business Development at RFD, highlighted the airport’s cargo infrastructure and operational flexibility as important advantages for Challenge Group.
The airport’s position offers access to the broader Chicago market while providing freighter operators with an alternative to the congestion and operational pressures associated with larger airports.
Live animal transportation under consideration
Beyond pharmaceuticals and oversized freight, Challenge Group is also examining opportunities to introduce live animal (AVI) transportation through Rockford.
The airport is located approximately 40 miles from animal quarantine facilities, a distance comparable to that of Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
RFD is currently pursuing approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to facilitate live animal shipments.
If approved, the capability would broaden the airport’s specialised cargo offering and create additional opportunities for international animal transportation.
Oakley said the airport sees potential to expand the partnership into AVI operations as the service develops.
Expanding Challenge Group’s global cargo network
The new India–Europe–US connection reflects Challenge Group’s continued investment in international freighter connectivity and specialised cargo transportation.
By combining Boeing 777 freighter capacity with Liège’s European distribution infrastructure and Rockford’s dedicated cargo facilities, the operation aims to provide shippers with additional routing options across three major trading regions.
The integration of temperature-controlled road transportation will be particularly important for pharmaceutical customers requiring consistent handling conditions beyond the airport environment.
The twice-weekly service also creates scope for future capacity increases, subject to market demand and operational performance.
For Chicago Rockford, attracting Challenge Group represents an opportunity to strengthen its role in the US international air freight market, particularly in temperature-sensitive and specialised cargo.
For Challenge Group, the new connection offers an additional platform to develop its North American business while improving access between India’s expanding pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors, European distribution networks and the US market.
