Dubai-based cargo carrier SolitAir has been granted Third Country Operator (TCO) certification by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), authorising the cargo carrier to operate flights to and from the UK.

The approval marks a significant regulatory milestone in the airline’s international expansion and paves the way for future route development into the UK market.

Established following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the UK TCO framework certifies that non-UK commercial air carriers meet the country’s safety and operational standards before they are permitted to operate within UK airspace.

The certification builds on SolitAir’s existing regulatory approvals, which include a UAE General Civil Aviation Authority Air Operator Certificate (AOC), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Third Country Operator authorisation covering the European Union, and ACC3 designation from EASA, enabling secure cargo operations into the EU.

Combined, the approvals provide SolitAir with regulatory access to two of the world’s most tightly regulated aviation markets, supporting the airline’s network across key but underserved trade routes.

Hamdi Osman, founder and chief executive 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 supports SolitAir’s plans to expand into the UK, complementing a network that currently serves 56 routes across 34 countries, including 17 destinations in Africa.

The carrier recently launched its first European Union destination with services to Sofia, Bulgaria, and has also announced a new route to Jinan in China, its third destination in the country.

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