With Djibouti, SolitAir expands Africa freight network

SolitAir has launched scheduled cargo services to Djibouti, marking what it says is the first dedicated UAE cargo freighter link to the Red Sea corridor. With this addition, the Dubai-based airline has expanded its Africa network to 17 cities, strengthening its reach across East and Northeast Africa.

Djibouti is a key logistics hub at the entrance to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. It also serves as the main sea gateway for landlocked Ethiopia and sits on major global shipping routes. The new air cargo link is expected to improve connections between sea and air transport, helping cargo move faster between Africa, the Middle East and global markets. Hamdi Osman, Founder & CEO of SolitAir, said, “Combined with Nairobi as our East Africa hub, we are systematically building the most connected air cargo spine.” 

The expansion is aimed at improving supply chain efficiency rather than just adding routes. Better air links from Djibouti can reduce transit times for goods that need speed, such as medicines, fresh produce and e-commerce shipments. It also gives businesses in East Africa more direct access to Dubai’s aviation and logistics hub at Al Maktoum International Airport.

The move comes as demand for air cargo in Africa is expected to rise strongly over the next two decades. Industry forecasts point to growing trade and manufacturing activity across the continent, increasing the need for faster and more reliable freight options. The new service adds more capacity to an already constrained market and supports trade flow between Africa and global markets through the UAE.