Pegasus Airlines Cleared to Take Over Czech Airline Smartwings

Turkish airline Pegasus Airlines has been allowed to take over České aerolinie and, with it, the Czech airline Smartwings. However, the Czech competition authority approved the merger only subject to conditions designed to safeguard competition on the route between Prague and Antalya.

The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS) has permitted the Turkish Pegasus Group to take over České aerolinie (ČSA) and the airline Smartwings, which it controls. The decision was made at the end of August but is not yet legally binding. The deadline for a possible appeal must first expire. Pegasus Airlines announced the planned takeover of Smartwings at the end of last year.

The approval is subject to commitments: the company must surrender some of its take-off and landing slots for the summer season on the scheduled air route between Prague and Antalya to another airline.

According to the ÚOHS, the merged company would have achieved a very high market share during the summer season and would have been significantly ahead of its remaining competitors. Without corresponding conditions, the takeover could therefore have led to a substantial reduction in competitive pressure.

Pegasus agreed to transfer some of the available slots to an independent competitor. This is intended to give other airlines rapid access to suitable take-off and landing times at the airports in Prague and Antalya.

Pegasus Airlines Is Already Active at Prague Airport

Pegasus Airlines operates domestic and international scheduled flights, primarily from its main base at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport as well as from other Turkish airports. In the Czech Republic, the airline offers direct connections from Prague to Istanbul and Antalya. Through its route network, it also sells connecting flights to other destinations, particularly via Istanbul.

ČSA now operates as a holding company and controls Smartwings and its subsidiaries. The Smartwings Group primarily offers international charter and scheduled flights from Prague and other airports in the Czech and Slovak Republics.