Silk Airways or SilkAir is a subsidiary owned by the Singapore Airlines. Before it had its name, it was a charter company under the name of Tradewinds Charters. The charter company used the Singapore Airlines' McDonnel Douglas MD-87 and operates in six destinations. After the years three destinations were added for the growth of what we know today, the Silk Airways. Leisure and business destinations are commonly the flight destinations offered the by the airline.

After almost two decades of chartering services, the airline broadens and an overhaul service was offered. The charter company grew tremendously that lead them in changing the airline's name to give it a more concrete identity and trademark. Six new aircraft were bought for the widening of their services. The newly released Boeing 737-300 was among the bought airplanes. China and India were the countries that were added to their services when Silk Airways expanded its services across countries.

In 1998 Silk Airways bought its first Airbus A320-200 and soon other same airplanes arrived in replace the old Boeing 737-300s. It is for the modernization of the airline and safety measures for the passengers. Silk Airways' Boeings served enough years and reached their retirements. This modification proves the Silk Airways' capacity to give the deserved services for the customers. And this shows the airline's competitiveness among others. In the years 2009 – 2012, eleven more Airbus 320-200 are expected to be delivered under the agreement between Silk Airways and the Airbus Company.

Two classes of flights are offered under the service of Silk Airways, the business class and the economy class. Business class renders a more comfortable way to travel. Seats are bigger, and legroom is wider. Passengers can enjoy the comfort the business class can offer as long as they can pay the price. However, that is not much to worry about. Silk Airways have an economy class that is affordable even for the average families. The economy class also offers a comfortable seat and regular size legroom. Usually all the seats from the economy class are taken unlike with the business class. Western and Oriental cuisines are served for the passengers which are the local menus of the region.

Silk Airways also subsidized and owned another airline. The Tradewinds Tours and Travel Private Limited started in 1975 and operated by a corporation. In 1984 it gained its license to fully operate without the corporation.  It offers charter flights and package tours that the Silk Airways offers.