Airbus Eyes LOT Polish Airlines Deal for 84 Aircraft, and More
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Airbus Targets LOT Polish Airlines Deal with 84 Aircraft Regional Fleet Proposal
Airbus has officially entered a bid to supply 84 A220 aircraft to LOT Polish Airlines as part of a major fleet modernization initiative focused on regional routes throughout Central Europe.
The proposal, confirmed by Airbus Vice President Benoit de Saint-Exupery, includes both A220-100 and A220-300 variants to replace LOT's aging Embraer fleet.
This tender represents a competitive face-off between Airbus and Embraer, with LOT expected to make a decision within the coming months.
Key Points
- The bid responds to a tender initiated in March 2024 by Poland's Ministry of State Assets
- LOT currently operates 50 regional jets, mostly Embraer models (E170s, E175s, E190s, and E195s) with many approaching 20 years of service
- If selected, deliveries could begin in 2026-2027 and continue through 2030
- The A220-100 seats 100-135 passengers while the A220-300 accommodates 120-160, both offering ranges exceeding 6,200 kilometers
- LOT would need to invest in pilot training and new maintenance infrastructure, as they currently operate no Airbus aircraft
- Boeing is notably absent from this regional jet competition, lacking a competitive product in this market segment
What It Means
This tender represents a pivotal strategic decision for LOT Polish Airlines, potentially shifting away from its longstanding relationship with Embraer.
If Airbus secures this 84-aircraft deal, it would mark its entry into LOT's fleet while delivering substantial fuel efficiency improvements and increased passenger capacity on regional routes.
The outcome could significantly strengthen Airbus's position in the regional jet market.
