Istanbul: AirAsia and Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines have launched a codeshare partnership connecting Southeast Asia and Europe through Istanbul, the companies announced Wednesday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the agreement marks AirAsia's first-ever codeshare partnership, combining its extensive network across Asia with Pegasus' European network through Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. Initially, the partnership will cover five key destinations: London Stansted, Moscow Vnukovo, Ankara Esenboga, Zurich, and Athens. The plan is to progressively expand access to more than 100 routes between Asia and Europe, leveraging the combined networks of both airlines.
Passengers will benefit from the convenience of traveling under a single booking, allowing their baggage to be checked through to their final destination without the need for re-checking during transit in Istanbul. Additionally, AirAsia plans to increase the frequency of its Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul flights from four to seven per week by February 2027. This route, operated by AirAsia X, has been a direct connection between Southeast Asia and Trkiye since November 2025.
Pegasus CEO Guliz Ozturk highlighted Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen's strategic position as a natural connection point between Europe and Asia. She expressed pride in AirAsia choosing Pegasus for its first codeshare agreement, which she believes underscores the robust network Pegasus has developed from Istanbul over the past two decades. Ozturk emphasized that this partnership not only facilitates seamless travel to Kuala Lumpur but also offers travelers from Southeast Asia and beyond easier access to Trkiye and European destinations.
AirAsia Group CEO Bo Lingam regarded the agreement as a significant milestone in the company's 25th year, marking a new chapter in its evolution from a leading ASEAN low-cost carrier into a global travel network. Lingam stated that by connecting AirAsia's extensive Asian network with Pegasus' strong European presence, spanning 160 destinations across 56 countries, Europe becomes more accessible to their guests. The cooperation is also set to pave the way for European travelers to explore the ASEAN region and beyond, laying the groundwork for broader connectivity through future strategic partnerships.