Skye Air Mobility, under the visionary leadership of Ankit Kumar, is transforming the logistics landscape in India through cutting-edge drone technology. Founded in 2020, it achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first company in India to conduct beyond-visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) deliveries in 2021. By focusing on both drone delivery and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), Skye Air aims to elevate efficiency and accessibility across diverse sectors, including healthcare and e-commerce. With robust safety protocols and innovative software solutions, including patented technologies, Skye Air collaborates with local drone vendors to foster economic growth while ensuring reliable and cost-effective operations. Their pioneering initiatives in remote and challenging terrains underscore their commitment to revolutionizing India’s logistics landscape with unparalleled speed, sustainability, and precision.
In an insightful conversation, Raamesh Chandra interviews Ankit Kumar, the dynamic force behind Skye Air, to explore the company’s journey, innovations, and the future of drone logistics in India.
R. Chandra: Ankit, it’s a pleasure to have you with us. Can you share the inspiration behind Skye Air and how your journey began?
Ankit Kumar: The inception of Skye Air was almost serendipitous. I started my career as a mechanical engineer with Mahindra and Mahindra before transitioning to a consulting firm in Gurgaon, specializing in assisting companies entering the Indian market. This role provided me with a unique vantage point on various industries, including electric vehicles and clean technology. In 2016, I founded my own consulting firm, honing in on these sectors. My deep dive into the challenges of last-mile logistics and the burgeoning drone technology ultimately led to the establishment of Skye Air. We officially launched operations in 2020 and proudly became the first company in India to execute BVLOS drone deliveries when regulations permitted in 2021.
R. Chandra: That’s a remarkable journey. What is the current significance of the drone industry in India, and which sectors are you primarily targeting?
Ankit Kumar: The drone industry is an integral component of India’s expansive $7 trillion logistics market, with the last-mile delivery segment alone representing a promising opportunity estimated at around $3.2 billion across the top 20 cities. At Skye Air, we concentrate on two primary domains: drone delivery and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM). While drone delivery focuses on the efficient transport of goods, UTM ensures the compliant and safe management of airspace. Our applications extend across agriculture, surveying, inspection, and aerial filming, providing a holistic platform for planning and executing drone missions effectively.
R. Chandra: Can you elaborate on Skye Air’s mission and vision, and how you plan to revolutionize logistics and delivery in India?
Ankit Kumar: Our mission is to make logistics faster, more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective. We aspire to connect people and places, ensuring enhanced accessibility. This vision holds particular relevance in India, where logistical infrastructure can often be fragmented. By beginning our efforts in some of the most challenging terrains, such as Himachal Pradesh and other remote areas, we are working diligently to integrate drones into the broader logistics ecosystem. Our objective is to facilitate access to essential goods and services within minutes rather than hours or days, effectively bridging critical gaps in the current logistics framework.
R. Chandra: What sets the technology behind Skye Air’s drones apart, and what makes it unique?
Ankit Kumar: Our competitive edge lies in the sophisticated software that powers our operations. We are in the stages of filling patents for approximately 19 sub-systems and inventions. Rather than manufacturing drones, we collaborate closely with partners to integrate essential systems like communication, navigation, and winching mechanisms. Safety is our top priority, and we incorporate multiple redundancies, such as parachutes and dual redundancy for critical systems, ensuring reliability even in densely populated areas.
R. Chandra: Regarding the economic aspect of your operations, how do you manage the costs associated with drone technology?
Ankit Kumar: We employ a hybrid model for our drone operations, balancing between purchasing and leasing, with an 80-20 split favoring leasing. The average cost of a drone is around ₹7.5 lakhs. We source all our drones from Indian vendors, thereby supporting the local industry while maintaining a robust and compliant supply chain tailored to regional needs.
R. Chandra: Skye Air has made impressive strides in a relatively short time. What primary sectors are you serving, and can you share any successful use cases?
Ankit Kumar: Healthcare is a significant focus area for us, particularly in remote and challenging terrains like Himachal Pradesh and the Northeastern states. We are also active in the e-commerce and quick commerce sectors, with Gurgaon being the first city globally to adopt drone delivery at such a scale. Our initiatives include developing infrastructure for drone deliveries, which we are implementing in partnership with organizations like AIIMS and various central government initiatives to enhance healthcare accessibility.
R. Chandra: Thank you, Ankit, for sharing your insights and the incredible journey of Skye Air. Your efforts are truly reshaping the logistics landscape in India.
Ankit Kumar: Thank you, Raamesh. It’s been a pleasure discussing our journey and vision.
This interview illuminates how Skye Air Mobility is at the forefront of pioneering drone logistics in India, addressing pressing challenges and innovating in last-mile delivery and airspace management.
