CAL Cargo Air Lines

CAL Cargo Air Lines, operating under the IATA code 5C and ICAO code ICL, is a dedicated all‑cargo carrier based in Israel. The airline was founded in 1976 by the Borovich family as a small charter freight operator, initially using a single Boeing 707. Over the decades, it evolved from a modest start‑up into a key player in the global airfreight industry, handling time‑sensitive and perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, oversized machinery, and general cargo. The company remained under the control of the Borovich family until 2021, when it was acquired by a consortium led by Challenge Group, an aviation holding based in Malta. This change of ownership injected new capital and strategic focus, allowing CAL to expand its network and modernise its fleet while retaining its Israeli identity and operational independence.

CAL Cargo Air Lines operates a homogeneous fleet of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft, a choice that reflects the airline’s focus on large‑capacity, long‑haul airfreight. The core of its fleet consists of the Boeing 747‑400F, a dedicated freighter variant known for its nose‑loading capability and high payload volume. As of 2025, the airline operates several of these aircraft, supplemented by a single Boeing 747‑200F for niche charter operations. The fleet is maintained to a high standard, with modern avionics and engine updates that improve fuel efficiency and reliability. CAL has also shown interest in next‑generation freighters, though no firm order for Boeing 777F or Airbus A350F has been publicly confirmed. The airline’s engineering division, based at its main hub, performs heavy maintenance on its own fleet and also offers third‑party MRO services for other cargo operators.

The principal home base of CAL Cargo Air Lines is Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), located near Tel Aviv. This airport serves as the airline’s primary hub, where all scheduled freighter flights originate and terminate. CAL also maintains a significant focus operation at Liège Airport (LGG) in Belgium, which acts as a European gateway for its transcontinental flights. The Liège base is strategically chosen because of its 24/7 operations, lack of curfews, and excellent road feeder connections to the rest of Europe. Additionally, the airline operates occasional charters out of other airports, but these are not fixed bases. The choice of Ben Gurion as the main hub is logical, as it positions CAL to handle Israel’s high‑volume export flows of fresh produce, high‑tech electronics, and pharmaceuticals, as well as import of raw materials and consumer goods.

CAL operates as a full‑service scheduled and charter cargo carrier, not a passenger airline, and it is neither a flag carrier nor a low‑cost operator. Its operational model is that of a mid‑sized all‑cargo airline focusing on time‑critical and oversized freight. The airline is not a member of any global airline alliance, such as Star Alliance, oneworld, or SkyTeam, which are primarily passenger‑oriented. However, CAL does maintain bilateral interline and block‑space agreements with several other freighter operators and integrators, allowing it to offer seamless connectivity beyond its own network. The airline has earned a reputation for reliability and adherence to strict quality standards, including IATA’s CEIV Pharma certification for handling temperature‑sensitive pharmaceuticals, and it has been recognised with multiple industry awards for operational excellence and safety. A notable milestone occurred in 2021 when CAL became the first Israeli airline to successfully operate a fully unmanned cargo flight under a special permit from the Israel Civil Aviation Authority, demonstrating its commitment to innovation. The company has also been lauded for its rapid response during crises, such as the COVID‑19 pandemic, when it maintained airbridge services for medical supplies and protective equipment. With a lean but skilled workforce of around 200 employees, CAL Cargo Air Lines continues to punch above its weight in the competitive world of airfreight, balancing heritage with modernisation.