Skyways Group is accelerating its transition from a traditional freight forwarder into an integrated logistics provider, expanding across air, ocean, road, digital platforms and specialised supply chain services as India’s manufacturing ambitions create new opportunities across global trade networks.
By building a broader multimodal platform, Skyways aims to reduce dependence on individual transport segments while giving customers greater flexibility as sourcing strategies become more complex. The approach reflects a wider shift across logistics, with companies moving from transactional cargo movement towards end-to-end supply chain management supported by visibility, regional networks and operational adaptability.
“Customers today are not looking for individual services anymore. They are looking for complete logistics partners who understand their business end to end. That is where the industry is heading,” said Yashpal Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Skyways Group.
The shift comes as manufacturers diversify production footprints across Asia. While the China Plus One strategy has accelerated investment into India, Vietnam and Southeast Asia, Sharma sees the trend as an expansion of regional manufacturing ecosystems rather than a replacement for China.
“People often misunderstand the term ‘China Plus One’. The important word is ‘plus’. China will remain the factory of the world for many years. The opportunity is to build additional manufacturing capabilities alongside China, and India is well positioned to become one of those complementary markets,” he said.
Building beyond freight forwarding
Over more than four decades, Skyways has expanded from a freight forwarding operation into a diversified logistics group comprising nearly 30 companies, operating across 12 countries and supporting more than 8,000 customers.
Airfreight remains a core segment, but the company is increasingly expanding into ocean freight, e-commerce logistics, cold chain, less-than-container-load (LCL) consolidation and specialised project logistics. The objective is to provide customers with a single logistics partner capable of managing multiple transport requirements rather than relying on separate providers.
“We don’t want to be known only for moving cargo by air. Whether it is a small parcel, a major industrial project or a multimodal shipment, our focus is to provide complete logistics solutions that create value for customers,” Sharma said.
Domestic expansion has continued alongside international growth, with Skyways operating across more than 30 Indian cities while strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia and entering new Middle Eastern markets. Vietnam has emerged as one of the strongest-performing international markets, while India remains central to the group’s long-term strategy.
“Vietnam has grown exceptionally well for us, but India remains our biggest long-term opportunity. We continue to invest because we believe India’s manufacturing story is only beginning,” Sharma said.
Integration and digital visibility
Skyways’ integrated model is centred on connecting multiple logistics functions within a single supply chain framework. As customers increasingly seek control over international movements, the ability to coordinate air, ocean, road and digital solutions is becoming a core requirement.
The emphasis is shifting from individual transport modes towards supply chain outcomes, including speed, reliability, transparency and flexibility.
“Customers are not asking whether the shipment moves by air, sea or road. They are asking for the most efficient solution. That means logistics providers have to think beyond individual transport modes and design complete supply chains,” Sharma said.
Technology is central to that process. Skyways has invested in customer-facing platforms incorporating APIs, mobile applications, customer portals and digital communication channels to improve shipment visibility and integrate information into existing workflows.
“Visibility is not an added service anymore; it is where the whole logistics process begins. Customers expect to know where their cargo is, how it is moving and when it will arrive. That transparency has become part of the service itself,” he said.
The role of digitalisation increasingly extends beyond tracking. As supply chains become more distributed and exposed to disruption, digital intelligence can help logistics providers and customers identify risks earlier, adjust routing and manage capacity more effectively.
“Technology should simplify the customer’s journey, not complicate it. Every investment we make has to improve speed, visibility or decision-making,” Sharma said.
Infrastructure and resilience
India’s logistics sector has gained momentum through initiatives including the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti, while infrastructure investment and improved connectivity are strengthening the country’s position as a manufacturing and distribution hub.
For logistics providers, however, the next stage will depend on deeper coordination between transport modes and continued improvements in regulatory processes.
“The policy direction is encouraging. Better infrastructure and stronger connectivity are giving logistics companies greater confidence to invest for the long term,” Sharma said.
At the same time, global disruption has increased the importance of networks that can adapt quickly. Geopolitical tensions, changing trade routes and capacity constraints have encouraged companies to diversify both their supply chains and logistics partners.
For Skyways, expansion across Asia and the Middle East is part of that resilience strategy, creating alternative solutions when established corridors become vulnerable.
“Whenever one trade corridor becomes difficult, another opportunity opens. Our responsibility is to identify those alternatives before customers start feeling the disruption,” Sharma said.
The ability to respond rapidly is becoming a defining measure of logistics competitiveness.
“Disruption is part of our industry now. The companies that succeed will not necessarily be the biggest; they will be the ones that adapt the fastest,” he added.
Asia’s logistics landscape
As manufacturing investment spreads across Asia, logistics providers face a market in which regional expertise, digital capability and multimodal integration are becoming increasingly important.
Skyways’ strategy reflects that transition, with future growth increasingly dependent on connecting markets and managing supply chain complexity rather than simply moving cargo volumes.
“No company can operate in isolation anymore. Partnerships, digital connectivity and integrated networks will define how supply chains evolve over the next decade,” Sharma said.
Air cargo will remain critical for time-sensitive and high-value goods, but the competitive landscape is increasingly being shaped by providers capable of combining transport capability, technology and supply chain intelligence.
“Air cargo will always remain a critical pillar of global trade because speed matters. But success tomorrow won’t be measured only by how much cargo you move. It will depend on how intelligently you connect markets, how well you collaborate with partners and how effectively you solve customer challenges across the entire supply chain,” Sharma concluded.
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Author: Edward Hardy
