BA and Oneworld tipped as most likely LOT partner

Oneworld is emerging as the most likely new partner for LOT Polish Airlines, to replace troubled Swissair. "It seems that all the criteria are fulfilled by British Airways and the Oneworld alliance," commented Boguslaw Liberadzki, deputy chairman of the Sejm Infrastructure Commission. The government currently owns a 68% stake in LOT and, according to industry insiders, is searching for a new partner based on criteria that include prestige, the preservation of LOT's identity, and guaranteeing the Polish airline's further development. Andrzej Pilat, secretary of state at the Infrastructure Ministry, said he believes that LOT should join an alliance that can offer the carrier "better economic conditions". Lufthansa and the Staralliance group had been considered a strong contender for a LOT partnership. But analysts point out that the German company may perceive LOT as more of a regional carrier, while Poland is keen to maintain the status of Warsaw's Okecie Airport as an international hub. According to government representatives, Oneworld will encourage the development of the Warsaw hub, as well as smaller regional airports. The Treasury is to make its decision regarding the new partner for LOT by the end of this month. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 22; Puls Biznesu, p. 10) M.T.K.