From Aviation Pioneer to Philanthropic Icon
Surjit Singh Babra, a visionary entrepreneur and devoted humanitarian, has forged a multi-million-dollar empire from humble beginnings, leaving an indelible mark across the aviation, travel, and food processing industries. His remarkable journey, characterized by relentless determination and a profound spirit of service, stands as an inspiration across continents.
Born in Ludhiana, India, Babra’s early life saw him move to Kenya at the age of two. His pursuit of education led him to London, where a part-time job in a travel office ignited his passion for the industry. This initial exposure quickly evolved into a full-time role, and by the early 1970s, he co-founded SkyLink in London. His ambition knew no bounds, prompting him to expand operations to five offices before setting his sights on North America.
From Humble Beginnings to Aviation Trailblazer
In 1979, Babra arrived in Toronto, Canada, to establish a small travel office. His strategic vision propelled SkyLink’s growth, leading to the opening of offices in major North American cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Vancouver, and Montreal. A pivotal moment in his career came in 1988 when he partnered with Israeli immigrant Walter Arbib to establish SkyLink Aviation, marking his foray into the airline business and making him the world’s first Sikh to own an airline.
Under Babra’s leadership, SkyLink Group blossomed into a diverse conglomerate, encompassing SkyLink Travel, SkyLink Express (a courier service operating a fleet of small aircraft across North America), SkyLink Holidays, and Dollar Rent-A-Car. The company gained global recognition for its humanitarian efforts, notably collaborating with the UN, Red Cross, and various government agencies to deliver relief supplies and personnel to crisis-stricken regions worldwide, including tsunami relief and rescue missions during the Rwanda conflict. The impact of SkyLink’s humanitarian work was so significant that Ontario included the SkyLink profile in its school textbooks.
A Profound Commitment to Philanthropy
Beyond his business achievements, Babra is a dedicated philanthropist. He received the Mother Teresa Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2005 from the Friends of Indo-American Community (FOIAC) and the City of Los Angeles. One of the most personally gratifying events in his life was orchestrating the airlifting of 149 copies of the Sikh holy Guru Granth Sahib from Amritsar to Canada, with each sacred book occupying its own seat on the aircraft—a testament to his deep faith.
In 2008, Babra and his partner strategically divested segments of their aviation business to establish SkyLink Capital, an investment company. Even as he approached retirement in 2014, a new opportunity arose when the American food processing giant Heinz announced the closure of its plant in Leamington, Ontario. Babra, as part of an investor group named Highbury Canco Corp, acquired the plant, successfully saving 250 jobs and preserving a vital part of Canada’s food supply chain. His contributions to business and community have been recognized with accolades such as the Business Person of the Year award in 1996 by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Surjit Singh Babra also served as Chair of the Canada India Foundation from 2007-2009.
Esteemed Recognition and Enduring Principles
Adding to his long list of achievements, Surjit S. Babra has been bestowed with an honorary doctorate degree (Doctor of Laws, honoris causa) by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) at their spring convocation. This prestigious recognition acknowledges his significant contributions to society and various sectors.
When asked about the secret to his success, Babra often emphasizes the power of the mind and an unwavering passion for self-improvement, drawing parallels to a leadership exercise involving walking over hot coals, which underscored the mind’s ability to conquer anything. He attributes the global success of the Punjabi diaspora to this same spirit of relentless drive and the Sikh mantra of “sava lakh se ek ladaun” (one Sikh fighting against 125,000).
Surjit Singh Babra’s profile is a testament to an extraordinary life built on hard work, strategic foresight, and a profound commitment to both business excellence and humanitarian service. His impact continues to soar, inspiring generations.
“Surjit Babra is more than a businessman—he’s a builder of bridges between cultures, industries, and generations,” says Gian Paul, Director of Communications at Indo Canadian Golf Association (ICGA). “We are proud to count him among our most valued supporters and friends.” Mr. Paul further added, “As ICGA celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, we honor pioneers like Surjit Singh Babra—whose contributions have lifted not only planes, but the lives of countless individuals around the world.”
