LOT Polish Airlines fights for profits

LOT Polish Airlines ERJ-170. Photo: Rob Finlayson.

LOT Polish Airlines told ATW this week that it is making every effort to return to profitability. "The situation within the company is very difficult but improving,” President Sebastian Miskosz said in Warsaw.

LOT is facing strong competition from LCCs not only at its Warsaw hub but also throughout Poland. “LOT has to be more aggressive in the market,” said Miskosz. “We have a very different model [compared to LCCs]."

He said LOT’s strategy is to develop its network with a focus on connecting traffic to Eastern Europe and Asia. In 2009 the carrier suffered a €42 million ($54.6 million) loss that was narrowed from a €180 million deficit in 2008. He said it is “doing everything” it can to break even this year. “This might be a challenge,” he conceded.

LOT, which is 93% state-owned, has been approached by Turkish Airlines about a possible takeover (ATW Daily News, May 29). “We are going for more negotiations in September,” said Miskosz. “There is an interest. Everything is possible; we have to be very creative and open.”