A visionary entrepreneur and seasoned logistics expert, Hamdi Osman, Founder & CEO of SolitAir, the UAE’s only dedicated cargo airline operating express daily scheduled services between Dubai and high-yield key trade routes across the Global South. With a deep-rooted passion for aviation, innovation, and investment, Hamdi has seamlessly combined his extensive expertise in logistics with strategic foresight to build a sustainable and impactful company.
Under his leadership, SolitAir has rapidly expanded its operations, strengthened global trade routes and forging key alliances in airworthiness management, flight planning, and cargo sales. His commitment to safety, efficiency, and scalability has positioned SolitAir as a key player in the industry, bridging Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and Central Asia through enhanced trade and logistical connections.
Driven by a vision of growth and sustainable aviation solutions, Hamdi Osman continues to lead SolitAir toward new heights, making a lasting impact on the global cargo landscape.
Visionary Leader in Logistics and Air Cargo
SolitAir was born out of Osman’s decades of experience in logistics, particularly his tenure at FedEx, and his relentless drive for innovation. “My journey in the industry began in 1978 at FedEx, where I worked my way up from a truck cleaner to Senior Vice President, overseeing operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent.” Over 34 years, he played a pivotal role in managing logistics during critical moments, including the Gulf War, and was instrumental in establishing key cargo airlines such as Blue Dart and Falcon Express Cargo.
After retiring in 2012, Hamdi turned his focus to the tech startup ecosystem, investing in Healthtech, fintech, food tech, Edutech, and last-mile delivery through Solitaire Group. Inspired by the vision and ambition of young entrepreneurs, he dedicated himself to supporting disruptive innovation.
However, the 2020 pandemic reshaped the global air cargo industry, reaffirming its critical role as the lifeline of aviation. By 2021, as air cargo demand surged, colleagues and industry leaders sought Hamdi’s expertise, prompting him to recognize a clear gap in the market. “Despite retirement, my passion for the industry remained strong. Seeing an opportunity to transform regional air cargo logistics, I began assembling a team and laid the foundation for SolitAir, with a vision to connect underserved markets across the Global South.”
SolitAir aims to establish a daily express cargo airline, linking the GCC, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, and the Stan countries. This entrepreneurial move was a natural evolution, blending Hamdi’s logistics expertise, investment acumen, and passion for innovation to build a sustainable and impactful enterprise.
The journey, however, was not without its challenges. A sudden withdrawal of committed funding by an institutional investor created unexpected financial hurdles that threatened to delay SolitAir’s launch. To overcome this, Hamdi made significant personal sacrifices, including the sale and remortgaging of properties from his family portfolio. His determination and resilience enabled him to secure $35 million in the first round of funding, with additional investments from key stakeholders. Currently, SolitAir is in the process of raising $40 million in Series B to support its fleet and network expansion.
With significant progress already made, Hamdi Osman is poised to redefine the air cargo industry, leveraging his expertise, network, and vision to bridge key trade routes and enhance global connectivity.
Philosophy Rooted in Listening, Communication, and Innovation
As a leader, Hamdi firmly believes that listening is fundamental to effective decision-making—a principle that defines his leadership style. He attributes 80% of his role to active listening, ensuring he fully understands the perspectives of customers, employees, and stakeholders before making critical decisions. By prioritizing insightful and informed leadership, he aligns his strategies with SolitAir’s long-term vision for sustainable growth.
Another cornerstone of his leadership is communication and feedback. Recognizing their essential role in building a strong and successful team, Hamdi fosters transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement through regular business updates, team meetings, and open conversations. His approach cultivates a company culture built on trust and accountability.
Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clear, focused mindset and surrounding himself with trusted advisors. Guided by the principle: “In God we trust; everything else we verify,” Hamdi ensures that every decision is backed by data, due diligence, and strategic insight.
Transforming Air Cargo Through Technology and Digitalization
Under Hamdi’s leadership, SolitAir is at the forefront of technological advancements, revolutionizing cargo handling through digitalization and automation. Key innovations include:
SolitAir leverages advanced real-time tracking systems to provide live visibility of shipments, ensuring customers can monitor their cargo throughout its journey. This level of transparency enhances reliability and fosters confidence in the logistics process. At its headquarter in Al Maktoum International Airport, SolitAir employs cutting-edge automated cargo handling systems, streamlining loading and unloading operations. These state-of-the-art systems significantly reduce handling times, minimize errors, and enhance overall efficiency.
Furthermore, SolitAir harnesses data analytics to analyze cargo volumes, optimize routes, and improve delivery times. This data-driven approach leads to cost savings, improved service quality, and more informed decision-making. The company also offers integrated digital platforms for online booking, tracking, and shipment management, delivering a seamless experience for customers while improving operational transparency and efficiency.
In alignment with its commitment to sustainability, SolitAir actively invests in eco-friendly technologies. The company incorporates electric ground handling equipment and fuel-efficient aircraft into its operations, reducing its environmental footprint while maintaining high standards of service and operational excellence.
By leveraging these innovations, SolitAir is setting new benchmarks in air cargo logistics, ensuring fast, reliable, and efficient services to meet the growing demands of e-commerce and global trade. Through Hamdi Osman’s vision and expertise, SolitAir continues to drive technological transformation and operational excellence in the industry.
A Leadership Commitment to People, Service, and Excellence
For Hamdi, investing in people is the foundation of business success. “Across my 34-year tenure at FedEx, I championed a people-first approach, ensuring that employees remained at the heart of the company’s operations.” At SolitAir, this belief continues to drive his leadership, guided by two key principles:
- People, People, People: No company can survive or thrive without the right talent. In the competitive air cargo industry, success hinges on having skilled, motivated, and dedicated professionals.
- Attracting and Retaining Top Talent: SolitAir actively seeks out the best minds in the industry, ensuring that only the most qualified candidates are brought on board. Once hired, employees undergo comprehensive training to excel in their roles. The company also prioritizes employee well-being, fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment.
The People, Service, Profit (PSP) Philosophy
Hamdi firmly believes in the People, Service, Profit (PSP) mantra, which shapes his leadership style: “People are the cornerstone of any successful organization, forming the foundation upon which long-term growth and stability are built. When the right individuals are in place, service excellence naturally follows, ensuring that the organization meets and exceeds expectations.” Says Hamdi.
As a result, profitability emerges as a natural outcome of prioritizing both people and service, creating a sustainable and thriving business environment. This approach ensures that SolitAir remains a resilient, customer-focused, and high-performing company in a rapidly evolving industry.
Overcoming Challenges
In the early stages of SolitAir, the business plan was designed to launch with three aircraft. However, unforeseen circumstances led to delays, with only one aircraft arriving initially. The second was received after two months, and the third followed three months later.
Despite these challenges, SolitAir’s team adapted swiftly, leveraging their expertise, industry knowledge, and strategic thinking to explore alternative business opportunities. Their resilience and problem-solving abilities enabled the company to navigate external pressures and internal challenges while continuing to grow.
SolitAir’s ability to push forward and innovate, even in difficult circumstances, is a testament to the strength, dedication, and adaptability of its team—values that Hamdi Osman continues to champion as the company scales new heights in the air cargo industry.
Strategic Partnerships and Focused Leadership
At SolitAir, strategic partnerships and collaborations form the backbone of building a sustainable and high-performing air cargo airline. From the outset, Hamdi Osman recognized that launching a new airline—especially one committed to efficiency, reliability, and innovation—required deep industry expertise and strong alliances with market leaders.
SolitAir has carefully selected partners that bring specialized expertise and advanced technology, ensuring a strong operational foundation. Key collaborations include:
SolitAir has established strategic partnerships across multiple domains to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and market reach. A collaboration with a leading maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) software provider enables the airline to optimize maintenance schedules, reduce downtime, and control costs, ultimately improving overall efficiency. In the area of safety, quality, and risk management, the integration of a top-tier safety and compliance platform ensures centralized documentation, streamlined processes, and adherence to regulatory requirements—critical factors for fleet expansion and operational excellence.
Additionally, partnerships in airworthiness management and flight planning play a pivotal role in strengthening safety measures, improving operational efficiency, and supporting the airline’s scalability. Furthermore, SolitAir’s strategic alliances with cargo sales agents in key markets such as India are instrumental in expanding its reach, maximizing capacity utilization, and reinforcing its presence in high-growth regions.
In the rapidly evolving global logistics industry, having the right strategic alliances allows SolitAir to stay agile, innovative, and ahead of the curve, delivering scalable and efficient solutions to meet the growing air cargo demands of the Global South.
Staying Focused and Leading with Fairness
Throughout his career, Hamdi Osman has adhered to key leadership principles that have shaped his approach to business:
- “Keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing” – Staying focused on core objectives and long-term vision is critical to avoiding distractions and ensuring sustainable success.
- Big Picture Thinking & Balanced Leadership – A no-nonsense leadership style combined with fairness and accountability fosters a culture of respect, trust, and high performance.
- Customer-Centric & People-Oriented Management – Successfully balancing customer expectations with a thoughtful approach to people management creates an environment where both business growth and employee satisfaction thrive.
By staying true to these principles, Hamdi Osman continues to drive SolitAir forward, ensuring that strategic partnerships, operational excellence, and strong leadership position the airline as a leader in air cargo logistics.
Staying True to the Vision and Expanding SolitAir’s Reach
One of the most significant lessons Hamdi Osman has learned in life is to “Keep the main thing, the main thing.” At SolitAir, this principle serves as a guiding force, ensuring that the company remains focused on, We are committed to revolutionizing regional air cargo logistics by leveraging innovation and efficiency to enhance operations and optimize supply chain solutions. Our dedication to continuous improvement ensures streamlined processes that meet the evolving demands of the industry.
Additionally, we invest in a skilled and motivated workforce, recognizing that our employees are the driving force behind operational excellence and sustainable growth. By fostering a culture of expertise and engagement, we empower our teams to deliver exceptional service. Above all, we maintain a customer-centric approach, prioritizing the needs of our clients and consistently exceeding their expectations through reliability, responsiveness, and high-quality service.
Setting a New Industry Standard
SolitAir’s primary goal for 2025 is to deliver an unparalleled customer experience, setting a new benchmark in the air cargo industry. The company is committed to providing the highest level of service, ensuring speed, reliability, and operational excellence.
Additionally, SolitAir is focused on expanding its network by strengthening trade and logistical connections between Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and Central Asia—regions crucial for global commerce.
2028: Expanding Across Africa and Beyond
By 2028, Hamdi’s vision is for SolitAir to achieve full coverage across Africa, with the establishment of five operational hubs across the continent. The company’s expansion strategy includes:
“By 2028, the organization aims to establish a strong presence across Africa, serving 22 cities to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate seamless integration within the continent. In addition to this expansion, operations will extend across the Indian Subcontinent, the ‘-Stan’ countries, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, and the broader Middle East, reaching as far as Istanbul.” Says Hamdi. This strategic growth initiative underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering global connectivity and strengthening its footprint in key markets.
SolitAir’s ambition is to become the fastest air cargo service—both on the ground and in the air—with quick turnarounds, seamless logistics, and unmatched service speed, meeting the evolving demands of its customers.
With a clear mission, strategic growth plan, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Hamdi Osman and SolitAir are poised to transform air cargo logistics across multiple regions, making a lasting impact on global trade.
