Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Turkey gives Sabay Logistics a strategic geographic advantage.
Yet, as Chairman Bulent Aymen acknowledged, location also brings exposure to regional instabilities. “Sabay Logistics is located in Türkiye. Türkiye is a strategically important hub for the European and Middle East corridor. It is a significant advantage. However, most of the neighbouring countries are facing economic and geopolitical risks. We have also been impacted by these problems.”
Capacity constraints, volatile fuel costs, and the unpredictable impact of geopolitical shifts continue to challenge the airfreight market. Positioned at this key intersection, Sabay Logistics has seen first-hand the effects that regional instabilities have had on the sector.
“Türkiye is a strategically important hub for the European and Middle East corridor. It is a significant advantage. However, most of the neighbouring countries are carrying economic and geopolitical risks, which have impacted our operations,” stated Aymen, chairman of Sabay Group.
To counteract these pressures, Sabay has developed a multi-pronged strategy. “Key challenges include capacity limitations, volatile fuel costs, and geopolitical instability,” Aymen stated. “Sabay Logistics addresses these through proactive carrier partnerships, strategic capacity planning, and by maintaining a risk-mitigated routing strategy that ensures reliability, even in uncertain environments.”
Rather than retreat in the face of volatility, Sabay sees it as an opportunity to differentiate. Emerging markets, in particular, are central to the company’s expansion strategy. “Emerging markets present strong growth potential due to rising e-commerce and infrastructure investment,” Aymen noted. “Sabay Logistics is focusing on building local partnerships, establishing regional hubs, and offering tailored solutions such as time-critical shipments and customs clearance support to penetrate these markets.”
Scaling without sacrificing agility
As the logistics sector becomes increasingly globalised, Sabay Logistics has developed a model that balances international reach with regional precision. Much of this is made possible by its worldwide agency network. “Sabay Logistics relies on a vetted global agency network to ensure consistent service standards, faster transit times, and local expertise across all major airfreight corridors,” Aymen stated.
This collaborative framework not only facilitates scale but also allows for greater responsiveness. “This collaborative model allows for greater responsiveness, real-time updates, and seamless end-to-end visibility for customers.”
Compliance—a non-negotiable aspect of global logistics—is handled with equal seriousness. “The company maintains a dedicated compliance team that monitors changes in international regulations such as IATA and ICAO standards. Regular staff training, electronic documentation systems, and audit trails are implemented to ensure full compliance and mitigate customs or security-related delays.”
Innovation and e-commerce
Technology is not just a tool but a pillar of Sabay Logistics’ strategy for operational excellence. As Aymen outlined:
“Sabay Logistics has deployed digital booking platforms, cargo visibility tools, and AI-powered demand forecasting.” These digital solutions are not just internal efficiencies—they are direct value-adds for customers.
“These tools improve operational efficiency, reduce errors, and provide clients with real-time tracking, automated documentation, and responsive customer support.”
Managing capacity has become one of the defining challenges of modern airfreight, particularly amid fluctuating demand cycles and space scarcity. Sabay is leveraging a flexible, hybrid freight model. “Through strategic partnerships with carriers, predictive analytics, and a hybrid freight model (combining scheduled and charter services), we optimise load planning and scale operations to meet demand surges without compromising service quality.”
This agility has also allowed Sabay to step into the fast-growing e-commerce logistics space. “Sabay Logistics launched the SBY Express service for e-commerce logistics in 2019, after obtaining a licence from the government,” Aymen stated. “SBY Express supports e-commerce clients with express airfreight solutions, fulfilment centre connectivity, and integrated customs brokerage. Its ability to handle high-volume, time-sensitive parcels makes it a reliable logistics partner.”
In addition, Sabay integrates rigorous cargo security protocols—critical in airfreight, where cargo integrity is paramount. “Security is reinforced through tamper-evident packaging and real-time GPS monitoring. Sabay also works closely with airport authorities and carriers to ensure secure handling from origin to destination.”
Five-year vision
Sabay’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic served as both a stress test and a catalyst for long-term change. “Sabay implemented contingency planning, flexible routing, and increased charter operations during the pandemic. It also accelerated digital adoption and maintained open communication with customers to manage expectations and maintain service continuity,” Aymen outlined.
These learnings are now embedded into the company’s ongoing resilience strategy. Sustainability, too, is becoming an increasing priority—even in the inherently carbon-intensive world of airfreight. “While airfreight is inherently carbon-intensive, Sabay is investing in carbon offset programmes, optimising load efficiency, and supporting clients with emission reporting tools.”
Looking ahead, Sabay is planning a robust expansion strategy built around both regional depth and technological innovation. “Sabay plans to expand its airfreight footprint by opening regional hubs in Southeast Asia and Africa, increasing digital service capabilities, and strengthening vertical-specific solutions for healthcare, high-tech, and perishables,” Aymen concluded. “Innovation and customer-centricity will remain core to its growth strategy.”
