SolitAir to Invest $25M in India in 2024, Says CEO Hamdi Osman.

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

“Based on cost and investment opportunities, we are looking at a ₹20-25 crore investment in India initially, with potential to double or triple in the next 2-3 years as we scale operations,” Osman told PTI.

India: A Critical Market for SolitAir

SolitAir, the UAE’s only dedicated cargo-agnostic airline, began operations last year with a Boeing 737 freighter and has launched freighter services to Bengaluru in January 2024. The company plans to connect 50 cities within a six-hour flight radius of the UAE through its growing air cargo network.

Osman emphasized India's strategic role in global trade, highlighting its strong position in pharmaceuticals, technology, and manufacturing. “India is either number one or neck-and-neck with China in trade. We see Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad as key cargo gateways,” he said.

Overnight Express and Growing Demand

With the rise of e-commerce and express logistics, Osman noted that mid-mile logistics (airport-to-airport) is witnessing strong demand. "We are in a new era of customer expectation, where speed and efficiency matter most,” he added.

Partnership with GAC Shipping India

Earlier this month, SolitAir appointed GAC Shipping (India) Private Limited—part of the GAC Group, a global shipping and logistics provider—as its cargo sales agent (CSA) in India. GAC will leverage its 28 full-fledged offices across India to enhance SolitAir’s market reach.

Long-Term Expansion Plans

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.

HBL