AirAsia (AK | Z2 | FD | QZ) is taking another significant step in expanding its international connectivity with the launch of its first-ever codeshare partnership with Türkiye’s largest low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines (PC). This historic collaboration opens up seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Europe through Istanbul. The strategic agreement brings together two low-cost carrier powerhouses from Asean and Europe, effectively linking AirAsia’s extensive network across ASEAN and Asia with Pegasus’ broad European footprint through its Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen hub. This initiative marks a vital milestone in AirAsia’s ongoing mission to become the world’s first low-cost network carrier. By facilitating this expansion, the airline makes international travel substantially more accessible and affordable while solidifying Kuala Lumpur’s position as a premier gateway connecting Asia to the rest of the world.
Designed to take AirAsia deeper into the European market, the new partnership will progressively offer access to over 100 combined routes bridging Asia and Europe. The partnership initially kicks off with five key European destinations, namely Stansted (STN) in London, Vnukovo (VKO) in Moscow, Esenboga (ESB) in Ankara, Zurich (ZRH) in Switzerland, and Athens (ATH) in Greece. Travelers departing from Kuala Lumpur can seamlessly connect to these destinations via Istanbul, laying a firm foundation for a vastly expanded European route footprint.
To support this strengthened Asia-Europe corridor, AirAsia plans to increase its Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Istanbul (IST) frequency from four times weekly to seven times weekly by February 2027. This added capacity aims to provide passengers with greater flexibility and convenient schedule choices between both continents. Operating under AirAsia X, the direct Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul route has successfully maintained a direct link between Southeast Asia and the Turkish gateway city since November 2025. The new codeshare structure ensures an effortless transit experience, allowing passengers to travel on a single booking itinerary while having their baggage checked through straight to their final destination without needing to check in again or re-check bags during their stopover in Istanbul. As the combined network grows, guests will enjoy enhanced choice, convenience, and expanded travel possibilities.
This enhanced route network delivers two-way benefits for international travelers. European passengers can now connect through Istanbul directly to Kuala Lumpur, gaining immediate access to AirAsia’s expansive Fly-Thru network across ASEAN, Asia, and Australia.This includes highly sought-after destinations throughout the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and beyond. Coupled with the increased flight frequencies into Istanbul, European travelers will enjoy unmatched access to some of Asia’s most popular travel destinations.
“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,” according to Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Group.
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. We will build on this together, developing a more integrated travel ecosystem across both networks and opening up more destinations, simpler journeys and affordable fares for our guests.”
To celebrate this monumental collaboration with Pegasus Airlines, AirAsia is introducing a limited-time promotional fare for flights from Kuala Lumpur to the initial five European destinations via Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen starting from just RM799 all-in one-way.In the reverse direction, introductory one-way fares start from only USD199 all-in from Esenboga (Ankara), Vnukovo (Moscow), Athens (Greece), and Zurich (Switzerland), and from USD299 from Stansted (London) to Kuala Lumpur. Travelers can book these promotional fares via the AirAsia MOVE app between 02 and 6 September 2026, for travel valid through 27 March 2027.