AirAsia and Türkiye-based Pegasus Airlines have launched a new codeshare partnership designed to strengthen air connectivity between Southeast Asia and Europe through Istanbul. Beginning in September 2026, the agreement will create additional international travel options by combining the networks of the two low-cost carriers. The partnership represents AirAsia’s first codeshare agreement and initially provides connections to five destinations through Istanbul: London, Moscow, Athens, Ankara and Zurich. The collaboration is also intended to grow substantially, with the airlines targeting a network of more than 100 routes across Asia and Europe as the partnership develops.
For passengers, the agreement introduces a new way to connect Southeast Asian markets with European destinations through Istanbul. It also places the Turkish city at the centre of a broader network strategy linking the two regions.
Istanbul Becomes A Key Connection Point
The new codeshare structure places Istanbul at the heart of the partnership’s international connectivity model.
Passengers travelling from Southeast Asia will be able to access selected European destinations through the Turkish gateway, creating additional routing possibilities between markets that previously required different combinations of airline networks.
The initial European destinations span several major travel markets. London provides access to the UK, while Athens links passengers with Greece. Zurich adds Switzerland to the network, and Moscow and Ankara extend the initial destination portfolio into Russia and Türkiye.
By connecting these markets through Istanbul, the partnership brings together AirAsia’s Southeast Asian network and Pegasus Airlines’ European connectivity.
The approach also creates a foundation for future network expansion as more routes are incorporated into the codeshare arrangement.
AirAsia Enters Its First Codeshare Partnership
For AirAsia, the agreement marks a significant development in its network strategy because it is the airline’s first codeshare partnership.
Codeshare arrangements allow airlines to place their flight codes on services operated by a partner, making it possible to offer customers access to destinations beyond their own directly operated network.
For AirAsia passengers, the partnership with Pegasus Airlines therefore creates opportunities to reach destinations that are outside the carrier’s traditional Southeast Asian network.
The initial launch is focused on five destinations, but the longer-term ambition is considerably broader. The two airlines plan to progressively expand the partnership to more than 100 routes spanning Asia and Europe.
This creates the possibility of a significantly wider international network for passengers travelling between the two regions.
Five European Destinations Launch The Partnership
The first stage of the agreement includes London, Moscow, Athens, Ankara and Zurich.
Each destination adds a different European or regional market to the initial network. London is a major international destination and an important gateway for UK travel. Athens provides access to Greece and its wider tourism market, while Zurich connects passengers with Switzerland.
Moscow adds another major European market, while Ankara provides a connection within Türkiye beyond Istanbul.
Together, the five destinations establish a geographically varied starting point for the partnership rather than concentrating solely on one European market.
The initial network is expected to form the basis for further expansion as the codeshare arrangement develops from September 2026.
Southeast Asia Gains More European Travel Options
Southeast Asian passengers are among the primary beneficiaries of the new connectivity structure.
AirAsia operates across a broad Southeast Asian market, giving the partnership an extensive regional starting point. By linking those services with Pegasus Airlines’ network, passengers gain additional options for travelling towards Europe.
The arrangement can also support travel in the opposite direction. European passengers will have access to a wider range of Southeast Asian destinations through AirAsia’s network, using the partnership to connect through the airlines’ combined systems.
This two-way connectivity is central to the network expansion strategy. Instead of treating Asia-Europe travel as separate regional markets, the agreement creates a framework for connecting the two networks through Istanbul.
More Than 100 Routes Planned
The long-term objective of expanding the partnership to more than 100 routes represents the largest element of the agreement.
The initial five European destinations provide the first stage, while the broader target would create a substantially larger network linking destinations across Southeast Asia and Europe.
For both airlines, this expansion could increase the number of markets accessible through their respective networks without requiring either carrier to operate every route independently.
The partnership therefore uses network cooperation to extend international reach while maintaining the airlines’ respective low-cost operating models.
For travellers, a larger codeshare network could eventually provide more combinations of destinations and itineraries across the two regions.
A New Chapter In Istanbul Connectivity
The AirAsia and Pegasus Airlines partnership strengthens Istanbul’s role as a connecting point between Southeast Asia and Europe while giving both airlines a platform for wider international expansion.
The September 2026 launch begins with five destinations, but the planned progression towards more than 100 routes establishes a much broader ambition.
AirAsia’s first codeshare partnership also marks a new stage in its international network development. For passengers, the immediate change is access to additional European destinations through Istanbul, while the longer-term benefit will depend on how quickly the two carriers expand their combined route portfolio.
As the partnership develops, Istanbul will serve as the central link between the airlines’ networks, connecting Southeast Asian passengers with European markets and providing European travellers with additional access to Southeast Asia.
