📋 Tender Overview
Expanding the network: This new collaboration opens the way for more than 100 additional routes in the short and long term. Strengthening Asia-Europe relations: AirAsia increases flight frequency to Istanbul to seven times a week. From Kuala Lumpur to Europe: AirAsia opens access to Stansted (London), Vnukovo (Moscow), Esenboga (Ankara), Zurich (Switzerland), and Athens (Greece) via Istanbul, with special fares starting from RM799 one way.*
[From left] Amanda Woo, Chief Commercial Officer, AirAsia Group; His Excellency Mr. Nevzat Uyanik, Ambassador of Turkey to Malaysia; Elifnur Dogruoz, Head of Network Planning & Airline Partnerships, Pegasus Airlines; Bo Lingam, Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia Group; and Farouk Kamal, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia Group.
SEPANG, September 2, 2026 - AirAsia continues to strengthen its international flight network by launching a codeshare partnership for the first time with Pegasus Airlines, the largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in Turkey, thus opening seamless travel access between Southeast Asia and Europe via Istanbul. This collaboration connects two leading low-cost carriers (LCC) from ASEAN and Europe, linking AirAsias extensive network across ASEAN and Asia with Pegasuss network of destinations throughout Europe via its main hub in Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen. This partnership also marks another significant achievement in AirAsias aspiration to become the worlds first low-cost airline network, making international travel more accessible and affordable, while further strengthening Kuala Lumpurs position as a strategic gateway connecting Asia to the world. By bringing AirAsias network further into Europe, this collaboration will gradually open access to more than 100 routes between Asia and Europe through the combination of AirAsia and Pegasus networks. The partnership starts with five European destinations: Stansted (London), Vnukovo (Moscow), Esenboga (Ankara), Zurich (Switzerland), and Athens (Greece) - connecting guests from Kuala Lumpur via Istanbul, thus laying the foundation for a broader European network expansion in the future. To further strengthen relations between Asia and Europe, AirAsia will increase the frequency of Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul (KUL-SAW) flights from four to seven flights a week by February 2027. This increase will provide more flexibility for passengers and facilitate travel connections between the two regions. The Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul route operated by AirAsia X has directly connected Southeast Asia to Istanbul, as a gateway to Europe, since November 2025. Through this codeshare partnership, passengers will enjoy a smoother travel experience with just one booking, while luggage will be checked directly to the final destination. This means passengers do not need to check in again or collect and recheck their luggage during transit in Istanbul. This expanded network connection not only offers more choices and convenience for passengers traveling between Asia and Europe but also provides more travel opportunities as the flight network continues to grow. This new network connection also benefits both directions. Passengers from Europe can now travel via Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur, before continuing their journey to various destinations in ASEAN, Asia, and Australia through AirAsias extensive Fly-Thru network. This network includes popular destinations in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and many more. With the increased flight frequency to Istanbul, AirAsia continues to strengthen relations between Europe and Asia, while providing passengers from Europe with easier and broader access to popular destinations in the region through AirAsias network. Bo Lingam, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Group, said: As AirAsias first flight codeshare partnership, this collaboration is a significant achievement in AirAsias 25th year, marking a new phase in AirAsias evolution from a leading ASEAN low-cost airline to a more comprehensive global travel network. By connecting AirAsias extensive network across Asia with Pegasuss strong European network through its hub in Istanbul, covering 160 destinations in 56 countries, we are not only making Europe more accessible for AirAsia passengers but also opening opportunities for European travelers to explore ASEAN and other destinations. This collaboration provides more choices, connection convenience, and opportunities for passengers to explore the world at affordable fares, while also laying the foundation for broader relationships through future strategic collaborations. Guliz Ozturk, Chief Executive Officer of Pegasus Airlines, said: Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen is a strategic hub connecting Europe and Asia. We are proud that AirAsias first flight codeshare partnership is with Pegasus Airlines, which demonstrates the strength of the network we have built from Istanbul over the past two decades, as well as the continuously growing hub. Now, our passengers can travel seamlessly to Kuala Lumpur and then access AirAsias network covering over 140 destinations across the Asia Pacific. At the same time, passengers from Southeast Asia and other destinations can now enjoy access to Turkey and Europe. We will continue to develop this collaboration together, building a more integrated travel ecosystem across both networks, and opening more destinations, easier travel, and affordable fares for our passengers. In conjunction with the launch of this partnership with Pegasus, AirAsia is offering limited promotional fares for flights from Kuala Lumpur to five selected destinations via Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen, with fares starting from RM799* one way. Passengers can also enjoy fares starting from USD199* one way from Esenboga (Ankara), Vnukovo (Moscow), Athens (Greece), and Zurich (Switzerland) to Kuala Lumpur, while fares from Stansted (London) to Kuala Lumpur are offered from just USD299* one way. Bookings can be made through AirAsia MOVE from September 2 to 6, 2026, for travel from today unti
