SolitAir has announced a strategic partnership with Marsh McLennan. As part of the collaboration, Marsh will provide comprehensive coverage to safeguard SolitAir’s growing fleet of Boeing aircraft, along with its other operational assets.

Commenting on the partnership, Hamdi Osman, Founder & CEO of SolitAir, said: “This collaboration is a significant step in our mission to revolutionize regional air cargo logistics and enhance our service offerings across Africa, the GCC, the Indian Subcontinent and the Stan countries. Marsh’s extensive expertise in risk management and tailored insurance solutions will help us navigate the complexities of the air cargo industry, enabling us to operate with greater confidence and efficiency. Their commitment to leveraging technology aligns perfectly with our vision of being a technology-driven company. Our partnership with Marsh reinforces SolitAir’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and operational excellence. We look forward to a successful collaboration.”

David George, Deputy Chairman, Aviation at Marsh Specialty, said: “Marsh Aviation are proud to be supporting Solitair, a dynamic new Cargo and Express delivery platform in the Gulf. Great people and a great business that will be a great success.”

SolitAir’s growing fleet currently includes four Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters. These aircraft operate out of the airline’s 220,000-square-foot cutting-edge logistics facility at DWC. Three more aircraft will join its fleet by the end of August 2025. The cargo airline planes to have a fleet 20 aircraft by 2027. The company is also laying the groundwork for integrating electric aircraft into its network by the end of the decade, in line with its sustainability vision. 

The versatile fleet is optimised for reliability, efficiency and the safe transport of specialised cargo, including temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, e-commerce shipments and hazardous materials.  

Exclusive interview with Chef Daniela Sfara, Ciao Bella at Media One Hotel

I like to share that, the more intuitively we cook – that is to understand how to connect with our ingredients and polishing the know-how of sensory cooking without the rigidity of measurements – we learn to make better decisions in our lives as this method transcends the kitchen. Cook slowly, connect and truly enjoy the process – very much as we would building a business, and spending time with our loved ones.

How does it feel to return to Ciao Bella and Larte for another round of your soulful supper clubs?

I feel deeply moved truly.  For me, it’s not just an invitation, it’s a recognition of the connection that was created the first time. It feels like returning to a place that understands the essence of what I bring. Being here again, surrounded by guests who value the depth, the history, the emotion behind every dish—it’s a quiet affirmation that what I’m doing matters. It’s never just about the food; it’s about the conviviality and carrying forward of legacies – shared moments, the stories, the beauty of culture passed from one heart (and kitchen) to another.

You bring a beautiful blend of heart and heritage to your cooking. Can you share a bit about your journey into the culinary world and how your Italian-Canadian background influences your style?

I’ve been cooking since I was a child. I wasn’t even three years old yet when I began learning from my mother, and I had the influence of my mother, my grandmother, aunts, uncles and the many young-at-heart men and women across Italy from whom I’ve been invited into their kitchens—to learn from, to be shared stories of tradition, culinary culture, and excellence with. And to me, quite literally, it’s just how I live. Now, representing the Italian diaspora, it’s become even more layered—because it’s not just about technique or taste in my cooking style, it’s about memory, legacy, and an instinctive knowing. It’s how I connect what I do today with past generations: the knowing of ingredients, the land they come from, the rhythm of cultivation, the reverence of harvest. That deep relationship with the earth and its offerings shows up in everything I create and share with those at my table. And at the heart of it all is authenticity—not in the performative sense, but in the honest simplicity of the dishes themselves. After all, it is the humblest dishes we carry in our hearts the longest.

Your supper clubs are described as intimate, nostalgic, and full of “amore.” What makes this dining experience so special for you — and for the guests?

Absolutely, amore. For me, it’s a natural connection to people—that’s how we live. Our door was always open and now in my adulthood, it’s still open at my own home. People knock once, say ‘permesso’ (may I come in?) and they’re in—espresso brewing, stories flowing, time slowing down. That spirit is the heartbeat of my supper clubs. It’s more than just dinner—it’s about creating a space where people feel like they’ve been taken to Italy for the evening – whether in their nonna’s or mamma’s kitchen, or to discover the beauty Italy offers. They feel the warmth, the ease, the unspoken understanding that food is just the beginning. It’s the catalyst for laughter, conversation, and real connection. When everyone’s gathered at one table, something shifts. I often step back and watch—not just the clinking of glasses, but the emotion, the sparkle in people’s eyes, the strangers who suddenly feel like long-lost friends. That’s the magic. That’s why it’s so special.

The menus take guests on a journey across Italy — from the seafood of Sicilia to comforting classics of Emilia-Romagna. What inspired the curation of this year’s menu?

Well, you know, it’s difficult for me to focus on just one region—every part of Italy has its own soul, its own ingredients, its own stories rooted in the people, the place, the land, the terroir. Each region speaks a different dialect through its food, and I love that. So, for me, curating this year’s menu was about taking people on that journey—north to south, coast to countryside. I get to share these places, share stories they may have never heard, and bring them into corners of Italy they might not even know exist. They’re tasting not just the flavors, but the feeling of being in a home in Sicilia, or at a family table in Emilia-Romagna. It’s intimate, it’s real, and it’s the closest thing to traveling with me through the country.

The wine pairings are a big part of the supper club evenings. How do you go about selecting the perfect pairings to match the emotional tone of each dish?

Very much like food, wine has its own identity tied to place. There’s a natural rhythm between what grows in the soil and what is shared on a plate or in a glass. When you pair a dish from a region with a wine from the same place, there’s an unspoken harmony—because they’ve grown up together, side by side, shaped by the same climate, the same land, the same hands. It’s not just about what’s in the glass—it’s about the nuance, the history, the balance, the way the wine lifts the dish and vice versa. The grapes, the ingredients, the cultivation—they’re all part of the same environment. So, pairing becomes intuitive. It’s a natural marriage between the flavors, the textures, even the emotional tone of the dish. And of course, we work with what’s available, but even then, we stay aligned with that deeper sense of connection between place and palate.

CG Hospitality Global, the hospitality arm of CG Corp Global and majority stakeholder in Concept Hospitality Private Limited (CHPL), proudly announced a landmark collaboration with Marriott International for the Global Launch of Series by Marriott— A new midscale and upscale collection brand. This historic move is anchored by the affiliation of The Fern portfolio, one of India’s most respected eco-sensitive hotel chains.

Founded in 1996, CHPL has grown into one of India’s most respected hotel management companies. This partnership marks a major milestone for India’s hospitality sector. The Fern, The Fern Residency, and The Fern Habitat will be integrated into Marriott’s global ecosystem. With over 120 operating hotels under various brands, in 90 cities and 40 additional properties in the pipeline at CHPLA, the deal is expected to add up to 84 Fern branded hotels and approximately 6,000 rooms to Marriott’s India portfolio—making it one of the most significant multi-unit transactions in the country’s hospitality landscape.

The agreement includes a strategic equity investment by Marriott in CHPL and an exclusive long-term co-branding relationship for The Fern brands in India. Fern hotels will now benefit from Marriott’s global distribution platforms, digital systems, and the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program with 237 Million members, while retaining their independent spirit and regional identity.

This collaboration reflects CG Hospitality’s long-standing belief in the strength of regionally rooted brands with global potential. CG Hospitality, headquartered in Dubai, has nurtured Fern into a leading name in eco-sensitive, high-quality hospitality. Having already established a strong footprint in the UAE with landmark properties such as Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers, the partnership now takes that vision global, amplifying the reach and capabilities of The Fern across the Middle East and beyond.

Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director & CEO, CG Corp Global & CG Hospitality Holdings, said:
“This strategic collaboration represents more than just a portfolio expansion—it’s the alignment of two shared visions to redefine the mid-market hospitality landscape. At CG Hospitality, we’ve long championed sustainable, responsible, and accessible hospitality, particularly through Fern’s pioneering presence across India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. With this partnership, we’re now setting our sights on taking The Fern to 500 hotels by 2030, and arguably making The Fern brands, the biggest in this segment, in India, while expanding CG Hospitality’s footprint to 650 hotels globally. Marriott’s global scale, trust, and loyalty ecosystem will be a powerful catalyst in achieving this ambitious vision. Together, we’re not only strengthening India’s hospitality infrastructure but enabling a regional eco-sensitive brand to thrive on the global stage. This is a defining moment for The Fern and a bold new chapter for Indian hospitality.”

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to scaling responsibly and serving consciously, particularly across emerging and culturally rich destinations in India.

“Series by Marriott furthers Marriott’s commitment to delivering lodging offerings in the right place at the right price with basics done well,” said Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International. “Creating a new, regional collection brand will further Marriott’s reach among value-conscious travelers, provide additional choice for our existing Marriott Bonvoy members and guests, and offer more affiliation opportunities for local owners. We are thrilled to launch Series by Marriott through our founding deal with CHPL. This deal will help meaningfully expand Marriott’s leading position in India, a key market for the company. We see this multi-unit conversion deal as a strong foundation as we look to accelerate growth of the Series by Marriott collection in additional markets around the world. The Fern portfolio throughout India is highly regarded and CHPL’s commitment to operational excellence and meeting the needs of regional travelers embodies the spirit of the Series by Marriott brand.”

CG Hospitality currently operates a diverse portfolio of 195 Hotels, Resorts, and Wellness destinations across 12 countries and 127 destinations. This partnership underscores CG Hospitality’s role as a global enabler for Indian hospitality brands and its continued investment in the future of India’s travel and tourism industry and in high-growth regions such as the Middle East. CG Hospitality and Marriott International recently also signed an agreement to convert The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines into an Autograph Collection resort, marking the brand’s debut in the country and a significant step in expanding the wellness-focused property to international markets.