Pegasus Airlines sales up by a third

NEWS/TURKEY

Pegasus Airlines reported a significant increase in its sales for the period January to June 2014. Financial results released by the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) show Turkey's leading low-cost airline enjoyed a 33% in income compared to the same period last year, generating a pre-tax profit of 86.4 million TL.

The airline enjoyed steady growth rise across its business in the first half of the year. Passenger numbers were up on both its domestic and international flights: 9.2 million, compared to 7.6 million passengers during the first six months of 2013 – up 22.4%. Passenger load also increased, with 82% capacity reached on domestic routes and 75.4% on international routes.

Data from Turkey's aviation sector for the first six months of 2014 also shows Pegasus is outperforming its competitors, growing 1.4 times faster than the rest of the Turkish domestic flights market and 1.7 faster on international flights. The airline’s share of the domestic market increased from 26.7% to 28% and its international market share is up from 9.1% to 9.8%.

First launched in 1990 and owned by ESAS Holding since 2005, Pegasus is Turkey's leading low-cost carrier offering economically priced point-to-point flights on short and medium-haul routes. Its scheduled service includes 30 destinations across Turkey and 54 internationally in 35 countries.

The Official Airline Guide has named Pegasus “The Fastest Growing Airline” in Europe for the past three years as a result of its expanding seat capacity. In 2012, Pegasus made aviation history when it agreed to purchase 100 new Airbus aircraft for US$12 billion – the single largest Turkish civilian aircraft order.