AirAsia join hands with Pegasus Airlines; expands international connectivity

Kicking off with five European destinations, Stansted, Vnukovo, Esenboga, Zurich and Athens, the partnership connects guests from Kuala Lumpur via Istanbul, laying the groundwork for a much broader European network.

AirAsia expands its international connectivity with the launch of its first-ever codeshare partnership with Türkiye’s low-cost carrier (LCC), Pegasus Airlines, opening up seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Europe via Istanbul.

The partnership brings together two LCC from Asean and Europe, connecting AirAsia’s network across Asean and Asia with Pegasus’ European network through its Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen hub. 

Taking the airline further into Europe, the partnership will progressively open access to more than 100 routes between Asia and Europe via AirAsia and Pegasus’ combined network. Kicking off with five European destinations - Stansted (London), Vnukovo (Moscow), Esenboga (Ankara), Zurich (Switzerland) and Athens (Greece) - the partnership connects guests from Kuala Lumpur via Istanbul, laying the groundwork for a much broader European network.

To further strengthen the Asia-Europe connection, AirAsia will increase its Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul (KUL-SAW) frequency from four times to seven times weekly by February 2027, providing travellers with greater flexibility and more convenient connectivity between the two regions. AirAsia X’s Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul route has provided a direct link between Southeast Asia and the gateway city of Istanbul since November 2025, and the codeshare arrangement is designed to provide a seamless connecting experience, with guests able to travel on a single booking and have their baggage checked through to their final destination - without the need to check in again or collect and re-check their bags during transit in Istanbul. The expanded connectivity will give guests greater choice and convenience when travelling between Asia and Europe, while opening up more possibilities as the network continues to grow. 

The new connectivity also extends in both directions. Travellers from Europe will be able to connect through Istanbul and onward to Kuala Lumpur, where they can access AirAsia’s extensive Fly-Thru network across Asean, Asia and Australia. This includes popular destinations in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Vietnam and more with its increased frequency to Istanbul, further enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia and giving European travellers greater access to some of the region’s most sought-after destinations through AirAsia’s extensive network. 

Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Group, said, “As AirAsia’s first-ever codeshare, this partnership marks a meaningful milestone in our 25th year and the next chapter in our evolution from a leading Asean low-cost carrier into a truly global travel network. By connecting our extensive network across Asia with Pegasus’ strong European network from Istanbul, spanning 160 destinations across 56 countries, we are making Europe more accessible to our guests while creating a gateway for European travellers to discover Asean and beyond. This partnership gives travellers more choices, connectivity and opportunities to explore the world at affordable fares, while laying the foundation for even greater connectivity through strategic partnerships in the future.”

Güliz Öztürk, CEO, Pegasus Airlines, said, “Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen is a natural connecting point between Europe and Asia. That AirAsia's first-ever codeshare is with Pegasus Airlines is a source of pride: it reflects the network we have built from Istanbul over two decades, and a hub that continues to grow. Our guests can now reach Kuala Lumpur seamlessly and, from there, AirAsia's network of more than 140 destinations across Asia-Pacific, while travellers from Southeast Asia and beyond gain a gateway into Türkiye and Europe.”