SolitAir's $25M India Flight: Cargo Airline Takes Off

Dubai-based cargo airline SolitAir Holding plans to invest $25 million in the Indian market within its first year of operations, with potential for further expansion in the coming years, according to Founder and CEO Hamdi Osman.

Strategic Investment & Growth Plans
Initially, SolitAir aims to invest ₹20-25 crore in India, with a vision to double or triple this investment over the next 2-3 years as operations scale.

India: A Key Market for SolitAir
As the UAE’s only dedicated cargo-agnostic airline, SolitAir began operations last year with a Boeing 737 freighter and launched services to Bengaluru in January 2024. The airline plans to connect 50 cities within a six-hour flight radius of the UAE, strengthening its cargo network.

Highlighting India's critical role in global trade, Osman emphasized its strength in pharmaceuticals, technology, and manufacturing, identifying Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad as key cargo hubs.

Meeting Growing Demand in Express Logistics
With the rise of e-commerce and express logistics, SolitAir is focusing on mid-mile logistics (airport-to-airport) to meet increasing demand for speed and efficiency.

Partnership with GAC Shipping India
SolitAir has appointed GAC Shipping (India) Private Limited—part of the global GAC Group—as its cargo sales agent (CSA) in India. GAC’s 28 offices across India will help expand SolitAir’s market presence.

Future Expansion Beyond India
Beyond India, SolitAir is eyeing expansion into Africa, the Middle East, GCC countries, and Central Asia, including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.