Pegas Fly (Ikar Airlines)

Pegas Fly, legally Ikar Airlines LLC (IATA: EO, ICAO: KAR), is a Russian charter airline renowned for its focus on leisure and seasonal travel. Founded on June 15, 1993, in Orenburg, it began operations with Mil Mi-8 helicopters for aerial cargo before transitioning to passenger jets. In 2015, it rebranded as Pegas Fly to align with the Pegas Touristik tour operator, providing charter flights to popular vacation destinations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The brand reverted to Ikar in 2022 after trademark issues, though it retains its charter heritage.

Headquartered at Orenburg Tsentralny Airport (REN), with major operations at Krasnoyarsk International Airport (KJA), Pegas Fly serves a network of domestic scheduled routes and international charters from key Russian bases, including Moscow. Despite EU flight bans due to geopolitical tensions, it continues domestic services and select long-haul charters. Its business model blends scheduled short-haul flights with tour-operator charters, positioning it as a hybrid carrier catering to budget-conscious leisure travelers.

The fleet comprises 8 aircraft with an average age of 18.6 years: two Boeing 737-900ERs and four Embraer 190s for short-haul routes, plus two Boeing 777-200ERs for longer leisure hops. Passenger feedback on TripAdvisor (3.0/5 from 300+ reviews) praises value and food but notes room for improvement in entertainment and service. Distinctive for its tour integration and Siberian connectivity, Ikar/Pegas Fly remains a vital player in Russia's charter market, bridging remote regions to sunny escapes.