AirAsia and Pegasus launch codeshare via Istanbul

AirAsia and Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines have begun a codeshare partnership, the first for AirAsia. Announced on September 2, 2026, the agreement links AirAsia's network across ASEAN and Asia with Pegasus' European reach through its Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen hub. The carriers say it will eventually enable more than 100 new routes between the regions.

At launch, five European destinations are available from Kuala Lumpur via Istanbul: London Stansted, Moscow Vnukovo, Ankara Esenboga, Zurich, and Athens. Passengers can book a single ticket with through-checked baggage, avoiding the need to reclaim luggage during the Istanbul stopover.

To support the expanded connectivity, AirAsia will increase Kuala Lumpur–Istanbul frequency from four to seven flights per week by February 2027, making it daily. AirAsia X first launched direct Kuala Lumpur–Istanbul flights in November 2025.

AirAsia Group CEO Bo Lingam called the partnership a milestone in the airline's 25th anniversary year. He described it as a step in AirAsia's evolution from a regional low-cost leader into a global travel network. Connecting AirAsia's Asian network with Pegasus' coverage of 160 destinations across 56 countries makes Europe more accessible for AirAsia passengers, he said, while creating a gateway for European travelers to explore ASEAN.