SolitAir appoints GAC India as CSA to strengthen India-UAE trade
Dubai-based cargo airline SolitAir partners with GAC India to expand its footprint in South Asia and beyond.
Hamdi Osman, CEO of SolitAir (second from right), and Ravi Ramachandran, Managing Director of GAC India (far right), shake hands to formalise the partnership as SolitAir appoints GAC India as its cargo sales agent for India.
SolitAir, a fast-growing air cargo carrier, has appointed GAC Shipping (India) Private Limited as its cargo sales agent (CSA) for India, marking a strategic move to bolster its presence in one of the world’s most critical logistics markets.
GAC India, part of the globally established GAC Group, will spearhead SolitAir’s sales and marketing efforts, leveraging its extensive network of 28 offices across India. With expertise in cargo handling, logistics, and maritime services, GAC is well-positioned to promote SolitAir’s offerings and enhance its market reach.
The partnership comes amid growing trade between India, the UAE, and other Global South markets, particularly following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE. The agreement is expected to propel trade beyond $100 billion by 2030, increasing demand for efficient air cargo solutions.
SolitAir is set to invest $25 million in its India expansion this year, focusing on infrastructure development and fleet growth. Hamdi Osman, CEO of SolitAir, was speaking to Indian news agency the Press Trust of India (PTI) recently. According to the PTI report, the funding is expected to enhance cargo facilities and strengthen the airline’s capacity to connect Indian exporters with international trade hubs.
“I see a chunk of my investment will go to Africa and the other one also into Saudi and the GCC, and especially into the Indian subcontinent,” Osman told in an earlier interview to the STAT Media Group for the Cargo Masterminds series.
SolitAir currently operates two Boeing 737-800 freighters, each with a 23-tonne capacity, with a third aircraft set to join its fleet next month. The airline is targeting high-demand trade routes across India, Bangladesh, Africa, and the Middle East, offering efficient middle-mile solutions for freight forwarders, integrator airlines, and SMEs.
Ravi Ramachandran, Managing Director of GAC India, expressed confidence in the collaboration, stating, “India is a growing force in global logistics, and we are thrilled to support SolitAir’s entry into this market. Our experienced team will implement strategic sales initiatives to drive growth and strengthen its position as a preferred air cargo provider.”
With ambitious expansion plans, SolitAir aims to operate 20 aircraft by 2027, reinforcing its role as a vital logistics link within a six-hour flying radius of its Dubai World Central (DWC) hub. The airline’s focus on express cargo, pharmaceuticals, perishables, and e-commerce shipments aligns with the evolving demands of global trade, ensuring speed, reliability, and seamless cross-border logistics solutions.
