Dubai-based cargo carrier SolitAir has launched a new route between its Dubai World Central hub and Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, expanding its China presence as part of a broader growth strategy targeting key trade corridors across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

According to Aviation Business News, the inaugural flight on the new route carried a VIP cargo shipment, underscoring the corridor's intended role in supporting bespoke, secure and time-critical air freight requirements.

Hamdi Osman, founder and chief executive of SolitAir, said China remained one of the most important growth markets for global trade. "Expanding our network to Jinan reflects our commitment to serving the evolving needs of our customers," he said.

The Jinan route builds on SolitAir's existing China operations to Hong Kong and Urumqi, and follows the carrier's recent expansion into Europe with the launch of services to Sofia, Bulgaria. Since beginning operations in October 2024, SolitAir has grown its network to 57 routes across 34 countries, including a 17-city network in Africa.

The addition of Jinan, capital of Shandong Province and one of China's significant industrial and manufacturing centres, reflects growing demand for direct air freight connectivity between Chinese secondary cities and Middle Eastern hub airports. Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport serves a regional catchment area with substantial manufacturing output across sectors including machinery, chemicals and electronics, generating consistent demand for time-sensitive export freight capacity.

SolitAir's rapid network expansion since its October 2024 launch places it among the faster-growing cargo carriers to emerge from the Gulf region in recent years, with its dual focus on African connectivity and Asia-Middle East trade lanes positioning it across two of the most actively developing freight corridors in global aviation. The carrier's DWC hub provides access to one of the world's busiest air cargo gateways, with Dubai's geographic position enabling efficient routing between Asia, Africa and Europe within competitive block times.