Pegasus Airlines has completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and the Smartwings Group after receiving all required regulatory approvals and meeting customary closing conditions, marking a major step in the Turkish carrier’s international expansion.
The transaction brings together two established aviation
businesses with complementary strengths and a combined fleet of more than 175
aircraft.
The airlines also
have firm orders for 140 additional aircraft, providing significant potential
for future growth.
Founded in 1990, Pegasus adopted its low-cost business model
in 2005 and now serves 161 destinations across 57 countries.
The airline operates one of the world’s youngest and most
fuel-efficient fleets.
Smartwings Group, together with the Czech Airlines brand, is
one of Central and Eastern Europe’s longstanding airline groups. It serves 80
destinations across 20 countries and maintains strong relationships with major
tour operators, particularly in the leisure travel market.
Under the new partnership, Pegasus and Smartwings aim to
strengthen competitiveness while combining Pegasus’ international network,
operational expertise and low-cost model with Smartwings’ established regional
presence.
Smartwings will continue operating under the Smartwings and
Czech Airlines brands, maintaining existing operations, customer relationships
and service delivery.
The companies said the partnership will support innovation,
development and talent, while focusing on safety, operational excellence and
customer experience as they expand connectivity across Europe and beyond.
Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines, said: “Our
story began with a dream of a world where everyone can fly, and today, Pegasus
Airlines and Smartwings come together to take that ambition forward. Together
we can grow further and offer our guests more choice than any of us could
alone. The people and relationships behind each airline are the reason I'm
confident in what comes next, and we look forward to writing the next chapter
together with all our colleagues.”
Jiří Šimáně, Co-founder of Smartwings, added:“Smartwings has been built over many years by dedicated people and by the loyalty of passengers and partners, to whom I am deeply grateful. We are confident that Pegasus Airlines is the right partner to build on these strengths, support future growth and create lasting value for everyone connected with both airlines.” -TTN