Turkey’s Pegasus culls Boeings for leaner Neo as demand ebbs

Pegasus Airlines is accelerating a shift to more fuel-efficient A320neo planes ordered from Airbus as a spate of terrorist attacks in the country hurts demand and curbs revenue. The carrier, owned by Istanbul-based private equity firm Esas Holding, will start selling older Boeing 737 jets following Turkey’s worst year for tourism in a decade, CE Mehmet Nane said. Pegasus, which currently operates 62 737-800s and a mix of 20 original-generation A320s and re-engined Neos, plans to add at least 18 aircraft over the next 3 years while eliminating the Boeing planes and reducing the average age of its fleet to 5.2 years from 5.6. Pegasus now aims to take 5 A320neos this year, 2 more than originally planned. That will lift the number of Neos in operation to 9 following a 2012 order for 75 plus 25 options. <br/>