DETROIT, Mich. – Sky Bird Travel & Tours, a leading airline consolidator headquartered in Detroit, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. Being able to land on this milestone after a global pandemic – the travel industry’s hardest hit since 9/11 – makes this an extremely special occasion for Sky Bird and its team members as the company reflects on its decades of success and challenges with gratitude.
“We are here because of my team; those who believed in us and supported us,” said Arvin Shah, Founder and CEO of Sky Bird.
Shah conceived the idea for Sky Bird in the early seventies while working part-time at a travel agency at his alma mater, Wayne State University. He launched Sky Bird’s first office in 1976 in downtown Detroit, and has since opened nine more offices nationwide plus three internationally.
Sky Bird began serving travel agents by connecting them with low airfare from its 90+ airline partners. Staying on top of advances in technology, Sky Bird grew to assist agents in every aspect of their business like itinerary planning, large group bookings, and providing an unparalleled booking solution with its WINGS Booking Engine – a product that has placed Sky Bird ahead of its competitors in service and technology.
Recognized throughout the travel industry for its brand of quality service. Sky Bird’ mission statement is to provide exceptional service and experience to its clients, vendors, and members. They have won several sales awards from numerous carriers and are multi-winners of the prestigious Travvy Award for Best Airline Consolidator, taking home a trophy in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Sky Bird’s mission to provide excellent customer service to its travel partners has been the driving force behind its success over the last 45 years. In 2018, it achieved ISO 9001 certification for its Quality Management System and is a member of ASTA, CLIA, and IATAN.
Throughout the decades, Sky Bird has also faced industry challenges including Gulf Wars, 9/11, and the most recent COVID-19 pandemic which gravely affected everyone in the travel industry. As neighboring businesses panicked and scrambled to maintain their financial well-being, Sky Bird’s priority was to take care of its customers. The company aided in mitigating cancellations and border closings while doing everything in its power to keep its customers informed about the new landscape.
“Customer service is the reason for our success,” said Shah. “It is why we have been able to survive more than four decades in the travel industry.”
Approaching 45 years in the travel industry is nothing short of a phenomenon for Sky Bird, and the company is preparing for some well-earned celebration ahead. The company has showcased its achievement with special posts on its website highlighting Sky Bird’s history and personal reflections from its managers.
Sky Bird is supporting its charity, the Jaya Rehabilitation Institute & Research Center in India. Committed to charity work throughout his life, Shah established The Center with his wife, Jaya, in 2005 to provide prosthetic treatment to victims of the 2001 Earthquake in Kutch, India. The Center now treats 40,000 patients annually. Later this year, it plans to welcome research students from Michigan State University who will be traveling to India to study at The Center as part of their program.
Together, Sky Bird’s dedicated team and supporting airline partners are working through the pandemic, and it now looks forward to the future as travel emerges from its long hiatus.
See an extensive overview of Sky Bird’s services and recognitions at skybirdtravel.com.