Pegasus Airlines officially finalized its acquisition of the Czech-based Smartwings Group on October 1, 2026. The deal follows a regulatory review by Czech competition authorities, which required the carrier to relinquish specific slots on the Prague to Antalya route as a condition for approval.
The acquisition provides Pegasus with a varied fleet of 39 aircraft. This includes four Airbus A220s, one A320, and a significant contingent of Boeing 737 variants, including 14 MAX 8s, 18 737-800s, and two 737-900ERs. Integrating these assets will require careful fleet management, as Pegasus already operates a substantial mix of Airbus and Boeing narrowbody equipment. The operator has not yet outlined specific plans for fleet harmonization.
By securing this stake, Pegasus strengthens its presence across Central and Eastern Europe. Smartwings currently maintains subsidiaries in Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. CEO Güliz Öztürk indicated that the two airlines will cooperate to expand service options. While details on operational synergies remain limited, the acquisition marks a major step in the carrier’s expansion strategy beyond its primary base at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen.