Pegasus reignites its Kyrgyzstan venture plans despite blacklist

According to the Sabiha Gokcen-based Pegasus, the new venture will start flights from Istanbul to Bishkek seven days a week from March 21 .

Last year, Pegasus purchased a 49% stake in Air Manas. It has been attempting to revitalise a strategy that saw the Turkish airline create a joint venture with state-run Kyrgyzstan Airlines four year ago.

The plan then as to offer low-fare flights from Bishkek to Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Turkey aboard 737NGs wet-leased from Pegasus

For this attempt the Turkish carrier will wet lease Boeing 737-800s to the joint venture, and again aims to add more regional destinations in the near future.

Airlines certified by Kyrgyzstan authorities are banned from operating to the EU.