Pegasus has received the Global Environmental Sustainability Airline of the Year Award at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia and Sustainability Awards 2024. After securing the CAPA EMEA Environmental Sustainability Airline of the Year title in 2023, Pegasus has this year achieved global recognition, following an independent assessment of airline emissions data. Ali Uzun, General Counsel and Sustainability Director at Pegasus Airlines, accepted the award on the airline’s behalf at the ceremony held in Hong Kong on 5 November 2024.
Airline winners across various categories have been selected by CAPA using data that has been independently sourced and analysed, building on the work of the CAPA-Envest Global Environmental Sustainability Benchmarking Report.
Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus, commented: “We are deeply honoured to receive this special award from CAPA, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication that drives our Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) efforts at every level. Working towards our industry’s Net Zero 2050 goal, we are pushing forward with strategic investments in next-generation aircraft, expanding our use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and embracing innovative technologies – each a vital pillar of our Climate Transition Roadmap. I extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to every one of my colleagues at Pegasus Airlines who remain unwavering in our commitment to a more sustainable future.”
In his acceptance speech Ali Uzun, General Counsel and Sustainability Director of Pegasus, said: “After receiving the award for the EMEA region last year, making further progress to attain the same recognition on a global scale is a great satisfaction for us. I believe every airline will continue to push the boundaries for a more efficient and sustainable future, both economically and environmentally, for international aviation. We are so happy to be leading in this challenge, and we are working very hard to achieve our mid and long-term emission targets. I am proud to be a part of such a successful organisation as Pegasus Airlines.”
Simon Elsegood, CAPA – Centre for Aviation Head of Research, said: “CAPA is pleased to name Pegasus Airlines as its 2024 Global Environmental Sustainability Airline of the Year, thanks to its combination of industry-leading emissions performance, excellent operational efficiency and the strategic approach it has adopted in advancing sustainability in all areas. Pegasus is a global standout when it comes to highlighting just how much making sustainability initiatives a part of corporate culture and a decision-making driver can transform the performance of efficiency of an airline business.”
Istanbul-based low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines has grown significantly since launching as a scheduled carrier in 2005 to become one of the region’s frontrunners. In the past decade alone, Pegasus has more than doubled guest traffic and tripled the size of the network, which now spans 143 destinations in 53 countries.
As part of its ESG strategy and Climate Transition Roadmap, by 2030, Pegasus aims to reduce carbon emissions per revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) by 20% and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Key pillars of the airline’s sustainability strategy include investment in next-generation aircraft, targets around fuel efficiency and expanding SAF use, as well as increasing operational efficiencies, including the increased use of electric ground handling vehicles at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Through fleet transformation, Pegasus now operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the world, comprised of 112 aircraft (92% of which are A320neo and A321neo aircraft) with an average age of 4.5 years, as of 30 September 2024. Fifty-two A321neos are scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2029.
Visit the Pegasus Airlines Sustainability Hub for more information about the airline’s ESG initiatives.
