This article is based on an official press release from Pegasus Airlines.

Pegasus Airlines Launches In-House Maintenance Center at Sabiha Gökçen

Pegasus Airlines has officially inaugurated the first phase of its new aircraft maintenance center at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), marking a pivotal step toward greater operational independence. According to an official company announcement released on February 18, 2026, the new facility is designed to reduce the airline’s reliance on external service providers and streamline fleet operations.

The opening represents a significant infrastructure investment for the low-cost carrier. By bringing maintenance capabilities in-house, Pegasus aims to mitigate the scheduling bottlenecks currently affecting the global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector. The facility is situated between the airport’s two runways, positioning it strategically to service the airline’s growing fleet of Boeing 737 and Airbus A320/A321 aircraft.

Phase 1: Immediate Capabilities and Investment

The newly operational first phase represents an investment of approximately $40 million. According to data released by the airline, the facility currently encompasses 18,000 square meters of enclosed space and an additional 25,000 square meters of apron area. This initial launch has reportedly created approximately 200 new jobs within the technical department.

In its current configuration, the center features two maintenance hangars and one dedicated paint hangar. Pegasus Airlines states that this infrastructure allows for simultaneous base maintenance on four narrow-body aircraft and painting operations for one aircraft. The facility is equipped to handle a wide range of technical tasks, including line maintenance, C-checks (base maintenance), engine and landing gear replacements, and structural modifications.

“Our investment, in which we commissioned two maintenance hangars and a paint hangar… will provide base maintenance for four narrow-body aircraft and painting for one aircraft.”

, Pegasus Airlines Official Statement

Future Expansion Timeline

Pegasus Airlines has outlined a three-stage roadmap to expand the facility’s capacity over the next few years, aligning technical growth with fleet expansion.

Phase 2 (Target: Q4 2026)

The airline plans to complete the second phase of the project by the last quarter of 2026. This expansion involves commissioning an additional hangar, which will increase the center’s capacity to perform base maintenance on five additional narrow-body aircraft. Once this phase is complete, the total simultaneous capacity will rise to 10 aircraft.

Phase 3 (Long-term)

In the final planned phase, projected for completion within four to five years, Pegasus intends to merge and expand the existing hangars. The company states that this ultimate configuration will allow the center to provide base maintenance and painting services for a total of 15 narrow-body aircraft simultaneously.

Strategic Objectives and Sustainability

The shift to in-house maintenance is driven by a need for cost efficiency and schedule reliability. By managing its own maintenance slots, Pegasus can avoid the “massive bottlenecks” and slot shortages that frequently impact airlines relying on third-party MROs. The facility is also designed as a “smart” hangar, utilizing digital warehousing and paperless processes to optimize turnaround times.

Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines, emphasized the strategic nature of the project in public remarks surrounding the opening:

“Every investment we make in technical infrastructure takes our operational strength one step further. Our aircraft maintenance center investment at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport is a strategic milestone in Pegasus’ sustainable growth journey.”

, Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines

AirPro News Analysis

The opening of this facility places Pegasus Airlines in a unique position within the competitive landscape at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. While the airport already hosts major MRO players like Turkish Technic (HABOM) and MyTechnic, Pegasus’s entry is distinct in its focus. Unlike Turkish Technic, which operates a massive 380,000-square-meter complex serving a mix of wide-body and narrow-body clients, Pegasus is building a “right-sized” facility dedicated primarily to its own narrow-body fleet.

This vertical integration is a critical defensive move. As global supply chains remain strained and spare parts shortages persist, airlines without priority access to maintenance slots face higher risks of prolonged aircraft groundings (AOG). By controlling its own technical destiny, Pegasus insulates itself from market volatility, ensuring its fleet remains airborne and profitable.

Sources

• Pegasus Airlines LinkedIn Announcement