ISTANBUL— AirAsia and Pegasus Airlines have launched a new codeshare partnership designed to connect Southeast Asia with Europe through Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW).
AirAsia (AK) is linking its growing Asian network with Pegasus Airlines’ (PC) extensive European and Turkish operations, creating a new low-cost travel corridor between the two regions.
The agreement, announced on September 2, marks AirAsia’s first-ever codeshare arrangement.
The partnership initially provides connections to London Stansted (STN), Moscow Vnukovo (VKO), Ankara EsenboÄŸa (ESB), Zurich (ZRH), and Athens (ATH), while the airlines plan to progressively open more than 100 routes between Asia and Europe.
AirAsia and Turkish Pegasus Airlines Codeshare
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen will serve as the key interchange point for passengers moving between the airlines’ networks.
The arrangement allows travelers to book connecting journeys on a single reservation, making the transfer between Southeast Asia and Europe more straightforward.
Passengers will also benefit from through-checked baggage to their final destination. This means travelers connecting in Istanbul will not need to collect and recheck their luggage or complete another check-in during the transfer, according to the airline.
The initial five destinations give AirAsia customers access to major European markets, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Greece and Türkiye’s capital Ankara.
At the same time, Pegasus passengers gain a direct connection to Kuala Lumpur and access to AirAsia’s network across the Asia-Pacific region.
AirAsia Adds Flights Across Istanbul Route
The codeshare expansion will be supported by increased service between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul. AirAsia X currently operates the route four times weekly, but the carrier plans to raise the frequency to seven flights per week by February 2027.
The Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul service began in November 2025, establishing a direct link between Southeast Asia and Türkiye.
Increasing the route to daily operations will provide more scheduling flexibility for passengers connecting onward to Europe through the codeshare network.
The move also strengthens Kuala Lumpur’s role as an international gateway for AirAsia. The airline said the partnership supports its broader ambition to develop a global low-cost network by connecting its extensive Asian operations with Pegasus’ European reach.
Wider Network Access Across Asia and Europe
Pegasus currently operates a scheduled network spanning 160 destinations across 56 countries, giving AirAsia passengers a significantly broader range of onward options through Istanbul, AA reported.
AirAsia, meanwhile, offers connectivity to more than 140 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, creating opportunities for travelers from Europe to reach Southeast Asian markets and destinations beyond.
Both airlines view the agreement as the beginning of a wider network integration. Further destinations are expected to be added progressively, potentially taking the partnership beyond its initial five European markets and more than 100 Asia-Europe route combinations.
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