Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has announced that Challenge Group (Challenge) will launch twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter flights to the airport, beginning 4 November 2026.
The new service will originate at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), India, connecting through Liège Airport (LGG), Belgium, before arriving at RFD.
The service will also provide outbound connections from RFD via LGG, where Challenge’s network of approximately 1,500 truck movements per month provides onward access across Europe, as well as connecting service to NMI in India.
The route will strengthen RFD’s international cargo network and expand Challenge’s North American operations, primarily transporting pharmaceuticals, oversized and out-of-gauge cargo, with plans to introduce live animal (AVI) transportation in the future.
“Chicago is a strategically important market, serving a broad range of industries that depend on reliable international cargo connectivity,” said Or Zak, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Challenge Group.
“By introducing this service through Rockford, we are creating additional opportunities for customers moving specialised cargo between India, Europe and the United States.”
The new service also supports RFD’s ongoing efforts to expand its international freighter network and establish the airport as a gateway for specialised cargo entering the United States.
“This new service is a direct result of our continued efforts to attract international freighter operators to Rockford, particularly the work we have undertaken to establish the airport as a leading cold chain corridor into the United States,” said Zack Oakley, Executive Director, RFD.
“We see significant potential to grow this partnership beyond the initial twice-weekly service, including increasing flight frequencies and supporting AVI transport.”
RFD is located within approximately 40 miles of animal quarantine facilities, at a comparable distance to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and is in the process of securing approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support AVI shipments.
“RFD is well positioned to support this service as it develops, with cargo-focused infrastructure and the capacity to accommodate specialised freight,” said Rene Espinet, Vice President – Cargo Business Development, RFD.
“Challenge will have access to the wider Chicago market, combined with the efficiency, flexibility, and reduced congestion of a dedicated freighter airport.”
To support pharmaceutical shipments arriving on the new service, RFD will coordinate dedicated temperature-controlled trucking capacity, providing onward transportation to destinations in the Rockford area and warehousing facilities in Chicago.
“As our global operations continue to expand, we need airport partners that can accommodate our growing requirements and develop alongside us,” added Zak.
“Rockford offers the capacity, flexibility, and long-term potential to support this growth.”
The announcement was made during the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) Air Cargo Forum, taking place in Miami from 26 to 29 October 2026.
