New UAE airline gets air operator certificate from GCAA, eyes fleet expansion

Dubai: The UAE’s first cargo-only airline, SolitAir, has officially received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from its aviation watchdog, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The Dubai World Central-headquartered middle-mile air cargo operator SolitAir has also announced the addition of a fourth aircraft to its growing fleet.

The cargo airline now operates three Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters – one under a dry lease agreement and one 737-400 BCF. This fleet expansion supports SolitAir’s ongoing growth from its state-of-the-art, 220,000-square-foot logistics facility at DWC.

The certification process, governed by UAE Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) Part V, Chapter 4, required SolitAir to meet stringent operational, safety and financial capability standards.

“Receiving the AOC from the UAE’s competent authority is a testament to our operational excellence and readiness to drive innovation in air cargo transportation,” said Hamdi A Osman, Founder and CEO of SolitAir.

“Our focus is on delivering agile, express, reliable and sustainable solutions to bridge the Global South's high growth, developing markets with Dubai, one of the world’s most sophisticated and hyperconnected trade hubs,” Osman has said.

Osman, the former Senior Vice President of FedEx, was responsible for 51,000 employees, 132 countries, and 200 aircraft across Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Sub-Continent, and Africa.

However, after 34 years of service to the company, retirement was the last thing on Osman's mind. And two years ago, Osman launched UAE’s first cargo-only airline – SolitAir.

Four more aircraft will join its fleet by the end of 2025 and expand to 20 aircraft by 2027. Osman said the company is also laying the groundwork for integrating electric aircraft into its network by the end of the decade.

He said the airline’s fleet is optimised for reliability, efficiency and the safe transport of specialised cargo categories, including temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, e-commerce shipments and hazardous materials, ensuring cargo reaches its destination securely and on time. Osman explained, “With our cargo operations soon linking Dubai to 50 key markets across Africa, South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, we are poised to drive trade efficiency and foster economic growth throughout the Global South.”