Pegasus Airlines’ hub tactics boost east-west traffic
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European low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, is capitalising on the strategic location of its Istanbul hub.
The airline is using Sabiha Gokcen Airport to boost east-west air travel at affordable prices and as a result of this strategy, has grown its business despite the socio-political difficulties Turkey is currently experiencing.
“2016 was a tough year for us, but we still achieved growth of 7%,” the airline’s vice president – sales, Emre Pekesen told Travel Daily at last week’s WTM.
“It shows us that our business model is strong and that the demand is there – if passengers find a good price, they will travel.”
The airline’s current strategy is to boost frequencies to popular destinations and “enhance trunk routes”, rather than open up new routes, Pekesen continued.
“We are focusing on the Middle East, North Africa and Russia, using Istanbul as a hub,” he said. “In 2017 we will focus on adding more frequencies and will be looking at European flights across UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.”
Pegasus currently flies to 102 destinations in 40 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Russia, North Africa and Asia.
The airline’s network connects London to more than 50 exciting off-the-beaten-track destinations that include Almaty, Bahrain, Beirut, Bishkek, Doha, Kuwait, North Cyprus, Tbilisi, Tel Aviv and Tehran as well as more than 30 Turkish destinations including Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Izmir and Istanbul.
Although frequency increases are a core focus, recent route launches include Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah, China’s Kashgar and Jordan’s Amman.
Jeddah and Riyadh are also new additions via a codeshare agreement with Saudi low-cost carrier flynas.
The Turkish airline operates one of the youngest A320 fleets in Europe with an average age of just 5.5 years.
The carrier has also made great strides in offering customers add-on services in a bid to become a “complete travel brand”.
Pegasus offers a wide range of ancillary products and services including hotel bookings, car hire, airport transfers, visa services, fast track and an award-winning selection of in-flight meal options.
Pekesen said while 50% of sale came direct online, the trade remained hugely important to Pegasus.
30% of sales come through the airline’s agency portal and 20% through the GDS.
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