LOT Polish Airlines has started services to the Slovakian capital Bratislava from Warsaw in a clear sign that its intention to join the Star Alliance does not put an end to its east European hub ambitions.
Bratislava is on the doorstep of the Vienna hub of Austrian Airlines, which has carved a niche for itself within Star as the gateway to eastern Europe. The Hungarian capital Budapest is also just a couple of hours away. "This an important area for us. There is a high proportion of business traffic," says LOT spokesman Leszek Chorzewski.
LOT has agreed a codeshare covering Germany and Poland with Europe's Star leader, Lufthansa, and signed a memorandum of understanding with the German flag carrier setting out the steps towards membership of Star. Chorzewski says that the Polish carrier is now preparing to embark on talks with the other Star carriers, and that Austrian is first on the list. He notes that Austrian Airlines operates within the Polish domestic market, flying to Poznan, Katowice and Krakow. The two carriers do co-operate on Warsaw-Vienna, however, where they codeshare. Under Star's constitution, all 13 members have to agree to additional carriers coming onboard.
LOT started the Bratislava service in May, flying three times a week, with plans to add a fourth frequency. "Thanks to this direct connection with Warsaw, Slovak citizens gain a new attractive alternative for travelling in Europe and to the US," says LOT president, Jan Litwinski.
LOT has also started serving the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad from its Warsaw hub, taking advantage of the decision of SAS - also in Star - to pull its services from Copenhagen after 11 September. Again, LOT believes it can take advantage of the high levels of business traffic on the route. LOT was a member of the Swissair-led Qualiflyer alliance until its demise last year following the Swiss carrier's failure.
Source: Airline Business
