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Pegasus Airlines Names New Smartwings CEO and CFO

October 5, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Pegasus Airlines completes acquisition of Czech Airlines and Smartwings Group.
Emre Pekesen and Nur Karabacak appointed as new CEO and CFO of Smartwings.
Combined fleet includes over 175 aircraft with 140 on order.

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Strategic Implications

This acquisition may signal Pegasus Airlines' expansion into European markets, which could strengthen its competitive position against other regional carriers. The appointment of new leadership suggests a focus on integration and growth, which may indicate a shift in Smartwings' operational strategy.

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What Happened

Turkish Carrier Expands Leadership Team After Acquisition

Pegasus Airlines has completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and Smartwings Group, and has appointed Emre Pekesen as the new CEO and Nur Karabacak as the CFO of Smartwings. The combined fleet of the two airlines includes over 175 aircraft, with existing firm orders for 140 more. The acquisition was finalized on October 1, 2026, following regulatory approvals. Pegasus Airlines’ CEO, Güliz Öztürk, expressed confidence in the future of the combined entity, citing the strength of the people and relationships behind each airline. The development was first reported by AeroTime.

Source | Originally Published: October 5, 2026

Companies Mentioned