Prague (AFP) – The Czech antitrust office UOHS said Friday it had allowed Pegasus Airlines to buy the Czech airline Smartwings as the Turkish low-cost carrier seeks to boost its presence in Europe. Pegasus announced the 154-million-euro ($179 million) deal last December as part of its “continued global expansion,” saying Smartwings would retain its name.
The UOHS said in a statement it had made the go-ahead conditional on steps to “preserve effective competition,” proposed by Pegasus itself. “These commitments mainly concern the transfer of part of the slots for the summer season on the scheduled Prague-Antalya route to another air carrier,” the UOHS said.
Smartwings operates a fleet of 49 aircraft offering regular flights to 80 destinations. It has operated as a low-cost carrier for two decades, tracing its origins back to a charter company called Travel Service. Smartwings acquired control of troubled flag carrier Czech Airlines in 2018. The final flight under Czech Airlines livery took place in 2024, with Smartwings taking over operations.
Pegasus Airlines, established in 1990, operated 158 international routes to 55 countries at the end of 2025, according to its website. It operates out of its primary hub at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport on the Asian side of the city.
© 2024 AFP
