Airline traffic rules to liberalize in 2004, opening Polish skies to competition

In May 2001, the European Union (EU) and Polish negotiators will sign an agreement on complete liberalization of airline traffic, to take effect January 1, 2004. In the meantime the European Tribune of Justice must decide whether the agreement has been correctly formulated from a legal point of view. The agreement on European Open Skies Area (EOSN) will contribute to creation of the world's largest aviation service. In addition to the EU countries, the liberalized market will comprise a total of 26 currently non-EU member countries including Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Romania, Norway and Iceland. The agreement will be implemented in the summer of 2002, considerably increasing the competition for domestic carrier PLL LOT. According to the European Commission officials, LOT is well prepared to face competition thanks to its low operating costs, sound management, and modern fleet. (Rzeczpospolita, p.B1)