Andrjez Jeziorski/MUNICH
EuroLOT, the regional subsidiary of LOT Polish Airlines, has started operations, aiming for proÌt at the turn of the century.
The new division, certificated by Polish aviation authorities in June, will initially be taking over LOT's network of 200-plus flights per week to six domestic destinations, as well as its parent's fleet of eight Aero International (Regional) ATR 72 turboprops.
EuroLOT has appointed its own cabin staff, and is training its first batch of pilots, with the ATR fleet initially being flown by LOT crews seconded to the new low-cost operation. The regional has been set-up to stem losses in the domestic sector which contributed to an overall LOT loss of Pz140.9 million ($12.7 million) in 1996.
The Polish regional says that it plans to extend its network to include destinations in Eastern Europe, Germany and Scandinavia. The airline is considering destinations including Copenhagen and Hanover, although with some of the planned additional routes now being served by LOT itself, any switch is subject to further negotiations with the airline.
The new carrier is planning to expand its fleet with the procurement of up to five 30- to 40-seat turboprops for domestic routes. The types under consideration are the ATR 42, Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 and the Saab 340, while smaller 19-seaters are still under consideration as start-up aircraft on new routes.
The new aircraft will be needed early in 1997. The carrier also says it will consider replacing or expanding its 64-seat ATR 72 fleet as the aircraft leases run out in two years' time. One 19-seater solution under discussion is a franchise deal with Tasawi, a Szczecin-based carrier operating two Jetstream 31s.
In 1996, LOT operated its domestic network with an average 54% load factor, with 66% of its passengers travelling on business. EuroLOT says that it is therefore giving business passengers high priority in its route planning. It is predicting 400,000 passengers this year - taking the average load factor over 60%.
Source: Flight International
