Ministry plans partial and gradual privatization of LOT

Deputy Infrastructure Minister Andrzej Pilat announced yesterday that under a plan for the gradual privatization of LOT Polish Airlines, the national ca rrier's catering, road transport and communications businesses might be sold off. In an interview with the Polish Press Agency (PAP) Pilat said, "The gov ernment will be privatizing LOT gradually. However, the Air Traffic Agency (ARL) will remain under State ownership." According to a draft air transport law that will be submitted to the Sejm's Infrastructure Commission for discu ssion at the beginning of March, the ARL, which is responsible for air traff ic control, will be separated from the LOT structure. The new law is designe d to bring Polish legislation into line with European Union (EU) standards. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 3; Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 19) P.W.