LOT Polish Airlines is close to finalising its future long-haul requirements as it reveals plans to establish a low-fares subsidiary.
The Polish flag carrier is in the closing stages of talks with Airbus and Boeing to replace its fleet of five Boeing 767s with six Airbus A330-200s or Boeing 7E7s. The Warsaw-based airline is studying cost-benefit analyses for the aircraft, weighing instant availability against greater efficiencies.
Piotr Dubno, LOT executive vice-president, says the airline has "no visions of a dramatic shift in long-haul traffic", but is looking for better utilisation of a future six-aircraft fleet. The airline is examining relaunching an Asian destination in an attempt to balance the highly seasonal yields on its routes to Chicago, New York and Toronto.
LOT says the 7E7's superior fuel performance makes it attractive - the carrier is midway though a programme to cut costs by 20% - but its 2008 availability is a problem because lease deals on LOT's fleet of five 767s expire in 2006. Boeing is offering additional 767s as a bridge, says Dubno.
Meanwhile, LOT released further details - but no name - of its planned low-fares subsidiary. The offshoot would have bases in Warsaw and Krakov, would take Boeing 737-300/400s from the LOT fleet, but would operate with different, "more flexible" pilots' contracts, says Dubno.
The carrier has identified 12 destinations, including airports in London and Paris, but insists the stablemate will not weaken LOT's mainline brand on key business routes. The newcomer will also absorb LOT's existing charter business, running as an independent business unit from next year.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / WARSAW
Source: Flight International
