Infrastructure: SolitAir launches cargo services to Otopeni International Airport, its second destination in the EU

SolitAir, the UAE’s dedicated B2B, airport-to-airport cargo airline, today announced the launch of cargo services to Bucharest’s Otopeni International Airport (OTP), Romania – its second destination in the European Union made possible by the carrier’s ACC3 (Air Cargo and Mail Carrier from a Third Country) designation, granted by the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority.   The new service connects SolitAir’s hub at Dubai World Central (DWC) directly to a market of 19 million re-inforcing a corridor that links the carrier’s established Middle East, Africa and Asia network to the EU single market.   The new route follows a few weeks after SolitAir launched the Dubai World Central (DWC)-EU corridor with its inaugural services to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city. Romania is rapidly emerging as a premier cargo and logistics hub in Southeast Europe, driven by its strategic Black Sea access via the Port of Constan?a, full Schengen border integration, and major investments in regional multimodal transport corridors. Romania’s trade with the UAE in 2025 totaled over $500 million, with Romanian exports reaching $405.75 million and imports from the UAE standing at $105.02 million according to UN Comtrade data.   Core areas of cooperation included technology, transportation, logistics, real estate, energy, and food security. Machinery, wood products and cereals represent the largest categories of goods exported from Romania to the UAE, while perfumes, iron structures, and raw aluminum dominate imports from the UAE.   Hamdi Osman, Founder & CEO of SolitAir, said: “Romania sits where the Black Sea trade routes meet the EU single market and that’s exactly the kind of corridor SolitAir exists to serve. Every new route we open is a promise to our customers: reliable capacity, on time, every time. That’s the main thing, and it stays the main thing as we grow across Europe and the entire Global South.”   The launch follows SolitAir’s receipt of ACC3 status, which authorises the carrier to transport cargo and mail into the European Union and European Economic Area in compliance with EU aviation security requirements. Combined with its existing UAE GCAA Air Operator’s Certificate and EASA Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation, the designation completes the regulatory foundation required for SolitAir to operate scheduled freighter services into EU airspace.   SolitAir operates a fleet of seven Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters, each with 20-tonne cargo capacity, optimised for the reliability, range and versatility required to carry dangerous goods, pharmaceuticals, perishables, valuable and oversized freight. The airline is targeting fleet growth to 20 aircraft operating from its 20,440-square-metre cargo hub at Dubai World Central (DWC), Al Maktoum International Airport.