SolitAir secures UK TCO certification
UK Civil Aviation Authority TCO certification has been granted to the UAE-based cargo airline, enabling flights to and from the UK.
SolitAir has secured Third Country Operator (TCO) certification from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, allowing the UAE-based B2B airport-to-airport express cargo airline to operate flights into and out of UK airspace.
The approval represents a major regulatory milestone in SolitAir’s international expansion strategy. Under the UK TCO framework, established after the UK’s departure from the European Union, non-UK commercial carriers must demonstrate compliance with British safety and operational standards before being permitted to serve UK airspace.
SolitAir said the certification was granted following a rigorous assessment process, highlighting the strength of its operational and safety systems in meeting UK regulatory requirements.
The UK TCO certification adds to SolitAir’s existing regulatory portfolio, which includes a UAE General Civil Aviation Authority Air Operator Certificate (AOC), European Union Aviation Safety Agency Third Country Operator authorisation, and ACC3 designation granted by EASA. Together, these approvals provide the carrier with a regulatory pathway across the UK and European Union, supporting its growing network across commercially important but underserved trade routes.
Hamdi Osman, Founder & CEO of SolitAir, said, “The UK CAA TCO certification is an important milestone for SolitAir and it is the product of a great deal of work by our team to meet one of the most rigorous regulatory standards in global aviation. The UK is an important trade partner to the GCC states and this certification clears the path for SolitAir to become an important air cargo player in this lucrative corridor.”
The certification positions SolitAir to pursue future route development into the United Kingdom, further expanding a network strategy that currently spans 56 routes across 34 countries, including a 17-city network across Africa.
The freight carrier recently added its first European Union destination with the launch of services to Sofia, Bulgaria, and has also announced its third route to Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, China, as part of its broader international growth strategy.
SolitAir operates a fleet of seven Boeing 737-800BCF and Boeing 737-800SF freighter aircraft, each with a cargo capacity of 20 tonnes. The carrier’s operations are managed from its 20,440-square-metre hub facility at Dubai World Central, Al Maktoum International Airport, which has been operational since October 2024.
