News
Air China to take 49% LOT holding for €150 million?
September 9th 2016
Air China is in advanced negotiations to take equity of 49% in fellow Star Alliance member, LOT Polish Airlines, for €150 million, sources close to the deal disclosed to Orient Aviation. Read More »
An official announcement could come as early as September 21, when Air China will launch a four-weekly Beijing-Warsaw A330-300 service, featuring 30 business, 16 premium economy and 255 economy class seats. Curiously, the carrier will start downgrading the service to twice-weekly from October 30, using a smaller -200.
LOT operates the Beijing-Warsaw route with its B787 three times a week. Earlier this year, LOT told Orient Aviation it would like to operate to Beijing on a daily basis, but was denied the relevant permits. It also has its sights set on services to Chengdu and Hong Kong.
LOT has been more successful with the Japanese and South Korean authorities. The carrier added a thrice-weekly Warsaw-Narita link in January and it will introduce a thrice-weekly route from Warsaw to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport on October 17. Both routes are operated by its B787 fleet, seating 18 in business, 21 in premium economy and 213 in economy class.
Orient Aviation also understands LOT will be announcing a Boeing narrow body order soon.
Established in 1929, LOT is one of the world’s oldest airlines. In the past decade, the carrier has been under intense pressure from low-cost competition. In 2012, the Polish government saved the state-owned airline from bankruptcy with aid of more than 500 million zlotys ($130 million).
