UAE-based B2B cargo airline SolitAir has expanded into the European Union with the launch of scheduled cargo services to Vasil Levski Sofia Airport (SOF), Bulgaria, marking the carrier’s first destination in the EU.
The new airport-to-airport freighter service links SolitAir’s hub at Dubai World Central (DWC) with South-Eastern Europe, creating a direct cargo corridor that connects the airline’s established network across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the STAN countries, and China with the EU single market.
The milestone follows SolitAir’s receipt of ACC3 (Air Cargo and Mail Carrier from a Third Country) certification from the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority, authorizing the airline to transport cargo and mail into the European Union and European Economic Area while meeting EU aviation security requirements. The certification complements the airline’s existing UAE GCAA Air Operator’s Certificate and EASA Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization.
Commenting on the expansion, Hamdi Osman, Founder and CEO of SolitAir, said Sofia represents the airline’s first gateway into Europe and a significant step in connecting underserved trade routes across emerging markets with the European logistics ecosystem.
Strategically located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, Sofia offers strong road and rail connectivity into the wider EU market. The route is expected to support growing demand for time-sensitive cargo, including e-commerce shipments, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, perishables, and other high-value freight.
Since commencing operations in October 2024, SolitAir has rapidly expanded its network to 56 routes across more than 34 countries, including a 17-city African network anchored by its Nairobi hub. The addition of Sofia marks the airline’s first European destination and signals the next phase of its international expansion.
SolitAir currently operates a fleet of seven Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF), each capable of carrying up to 20 tonnes of cargo, including dangerous goods, pharmaceuticals, perishables, valuable cargo, and oversized shipments. The airline plans to expand its fleet to 20 freighters, operating from its 20,440-square-metre cargo hub at Dubai World Central (DWC), Al Maktoum International Airport.
