Pegasus Airlines Acquires Smartwings for $179M, Ending LOT Interest

Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines has announced a $179 million takeover of Czech carrier Smartwings and its parent company Czech Airlines, subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Pegasus’s international expansion strategy, combining the Turkish carrier’s 127-aircraft fleet with Smartwings’ 47 aircraft. The deal ends speculation about Polish flag carrier LOT’s potential acquisition of the Czech Republic’s largest airline. Together, the carriers will operate across 238 destinations in 75 countries, positioning Pegasus as a major European aviation player while maintaining both brands’ distinct market identities.