en.Wedoany.com Reported - SolitAir has officially launched scheduled cargo flights from Dubai World Central to Vasil Levski Sofia Airport (SOF) in Bulgaria, connecting its Middle East, Africa, and Asia network with the European Union single market. This service was made possible by SolitAir's prior ACC3 (Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country) certification granted by the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority, allowing it to transport goods to the EU and the European Economic Area.
The new route links SolitAir's hub at Dubai World Central (DWC) with Southeast Europe, opening a channel between the airline's established network and the EU. Hamdi Osman, Founder and CEO of SolitAir, stated that Sofia is the first European connection point in the company's strategy to build a network on commercially active but underserved trade routes. He noted that the ACC3 certification is not just a regulatory milestone but a key to connecting already served markets with Europe.
Situated at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Sofia offers road and rail connections to the broader EU single market. The city has developed into a regional logistics and manufacturing hub, with growing demand for time-sensitive air cargo covering e-commerce, automotive parts, pharmaceuticals, and perishables—sectors that align closely with SolitAir's existing cargo expertise.
The route provides freight forwarders, integrated logistics providers, and e-commerce businesses in the EU with direct access to SolitAir's broader network, which covers the Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asian countries, and China. The ACC3 certification obtained by SolitAir before the inaugural flight, combined with its existing UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (UAE GCAA) Air Operator Certificate and European Aviation Safety Agency Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization, completes the regulatory foundation required for operating scheduled cargo flights in EU airspace.
The launch of the Sofia route represents a structural expansion of SolitAir's network. Since commencing operations in October 2024, the airline has expanded to 56 routes across more than 34 countries, including a network of 17 African cities centered on Nairobi, Kenya. The addition of a European destination marks the next phase of its growth, as the airline's certifications and network density extend its services beyond its initial Global South markets.
SolitAir operates seven Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters, each with a payload of 20 tons, optimized for the reliability, range, and versatility required to transport dangerous goods, pharmaceuticals, perishables, valuable cargo, and oversized items. The airline plans to expand its fleet to 20 aircraft, operating from its 20,440-square-meter cargo hub at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai World Central (DWC).
