The Turkish airline Pegasus Airlines has successfully secured approval from the Turkish Competition Authority for its acquisition of Smartwings and Czech Airlines (ČSA), both based in the Czech Republic. This transaction, valued at $180 million, was announced late last year and is facilitated through Pegasus's Dutch subsidiary, Pegasus Europe B.V.

With this approval, a crucial regulatory milestone in the acquisition process has been achieved. The acquisition will see the integration of Smartwings and Czech Airlines' fleet, which consists of a total of 47 aircraft, into Pegasus's operations. Following this integration, Pegasus's overall fleet will expand to approximately 175 aircraft.

During the announcement of the sale, Jiri Simane, a co-founder of Smartwings and a shareholder in Czech Airlines, expressed confidence in Pegasus as a suitable shareholder for both companies. He noted that the new structure is anticipated to provide passengers with increased connectivity and travel options.

This acquisition aligns with Pegasus's strategic goals to enhance its market presence and improve service offerings in the competitive airline industry.