Smartwings Names New CEO and CFO Following Pegasus Acquisition

Smartwings has appointed Emre Pekesen as chief executive officer and Nur Karabacak as chief financial officer following completion of the Czech airline group’s acquisition by Pegasus Airlines.

Both appointments took effect October 1, 2026, the same day Pegasus completed its €142.3 million acquisition of Smartwings Group.

Pekesen moves to Smartwings after more than 16 years at Pegasus. He joined the Turkish carrier as sales director in 2010 and had served as group director of sales and network planning since 2022.

Karabacak joined Pegasus as investor relations manager in 2018 and became group head of budget, reporting and cost control in 2019.

The appointments install two long-serving Pegasus executives in key leadership positions at Smartwings as the airline begins operating under its new ownership.