2 September 2026

SolitAir Expands African Network with New Routes to Nigeria and Somaliland

SolitAir has added Port Harcourt in Nigeria and Hargeisa in Somaliland to its African network, taking the UAE cargo carrier to 20 African destinations across 16 countries and giving it a first direct presence in both markets. The routes are flown by Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from the airline’s hub at Al Maktoum International Airport.

SolitAir ground staff holding the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria flags in front of a SolitAir Boeing 737-800BCF freighter at Port Harcourt — [SolitAir]

Why this article matters
SolitAir’s addition of Port Harcourt and Hargeisa extends its African network into two new markets and increases its footprint to 20 destinations across 16 countries. Both routes are positioned around dedicated cargo demand, linking the Gulf with markets where the carrier sees opportunities to support existing trade flows.

The expansion also broadens SolitAir’s role in African middle-mile air cargo, adding direct access to Nigeria’s oil and gas economy and to Hargeisa’s livestock and agricultural export market while building on its existing East African presence through Nairobi.

Of Interest
- SolitAir has added Port Harcourt in Nigeria and Hargeisa in Somaliland to its African network.
- The airline now serves 20 destinations across 16 African countries.
- The two routes mark SolitAir’s first direct presence in both Nigeria and Somaliland.
- SolitAir operates seven Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, each with a 20-tonne cargo capacity.
- Its global network now exceeds 60 destinations across more than 35 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe.
- The carrier is targeting a fleet of 20 aircraft by the end of 2027.

UAE cargo carrier adds Port Harcourt and Hargeisa, deepening its presence across commercially vital, yet underserved, African trade routes

SolitAir, the UAE’s dedicated business-to-business, airport-to-airport, express middle-mile cargo airline, has announced the launch of two new destinations in Africa: Port Harcourt, Nigeria (PHC), served via Port Harcourt International Airport, and Hargeisa, Somaliland (HGA), served via Egal International Airport.

The new routes extend SolitAir’s African network to 20 destinations across 16 countries. The carrier describes the markets it is adding as among the continent’s fastest growing but historically underserved.

The additions build on SolitAir’s established East African hub in Nairobi and mark the carrier’s first direct footprint in both Nigeria and Somaliland.

Port Harcourt International Airport sits at the heart of Nigeria’s oil and gas economy and ranks among the country’s busiest cargo gateways, while Egal International Airport in Hargeisa anchors a region whose exports, from livestock to time-sensitive agricultural goods, depend on reliable dedicated freighter capacity.

SolitAir crew and ground staff holding the United Arab Emirates and Somaliland flags in front of a SolitAir Boeing 737-800BCF freighter at Hargeisa — [SolitAir]

The new destinations bring SolitAir’s total global network to over 60 destinations across more than 35 countries spanning Asia, Africa and Europe. The carrier operates a fleet of seven Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, each with a 20-tonne cargo capacity, from its hub facility at Dubai World Central (DWC), Al Maktoum International Airport, operational since October 2024. SolitAir targets a fleet of 20 aircraft by the end of 2027.

SolitAir holds a UAE GCAA Air Operator’s Certificate, EASA Third Country Operator authorisation, ACC3 designation granted by the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority, and UK CAA Third Country Operator certification.

The addition of Nigeria and Somaliland extends SolitAir’s presence across Africa, as the carrier continues to develop its network in line with customer demand and trade opportunities across the continent.

“Nigeria and Somaliland are important additions to our African network, giving us an opportunity to strengthen connections between the Gulf and these markets. As we continue to expand, we’re focused on identifying destinations where there is clear demand for reliable air cargo services and where we can add value to existing trade flows,” said Hamdi Osman, Founder and CEO of SolitAir.

“These routes were built around real customer demand. Port Harcourt and Hargeisa are good examples of how we’re developing the network, by looking at where our partners need to move cargo and building connections that support those trade flows,” he added.