LOT has been rapidly expanding its network in recent years. What are the airline’s key strategic priorities for the next decade?

Over the next decade, our foremost priority is to further strengthen LOT Polish Airlines’ position as the preferred carrier for the entire Central and Eastern European region. We are committed to expanding our network — growing both short- and medium-haul routes, as well as long-haul services that connect Poland and the region with the world. LOT has identified four pillars of network development in its strategy through 2028: growth in Europe on the most popular business and leisure routes, development of routes from regional airports in Poland, expansion of medium-haul destinations, and the strengthening of long-haul destinations in North America and Asia.

Reaching those goals requires additional planes, doesn’t it?

That’s why we are investing in a modern fleet. Last year, we acquired 11 new aircraft; next year, two more wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliners as well as 13 Boeing 737 MAX-8s will join our fleet. We have also recently signed a contract with Airbus for 40 new-generation regional aircraft, with options and rights to purchase another 44. This marks another step in LOT Polish Airlines’ growth — thanks to the newly acquired aircraft, we will be able to continue our expansion. By the end of June 2025, LOT’s offer had expanded by 14 new connections, with another four to be launched in the coming months.

Which are…?

Marrakesh in Morocco, Rovaniemi in Finland, Malaga in Spain, and Istanbul in Turkey.

How do you see LOT’s role in positioning Poland as a major passenger hub in Central and Eastern Europe?

With around 50% of our passengers connecting via Warsaw, we are committed to further developing our hub model — building on the strong connectivity Warsaw already offers transfer passengers. LOT Polish Airlines plays a unique role in positioning Poland as a key aviation hub in the region. Warsaw has already established itself as an important transfer point, and our strategy focuses on strengthening this position by expanding the network, increasing flight frequencies, and enhancing the overall passenger experience. Our vision for Poland is to serve not only as a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe but also as a fully integrated transit hub. Beyond connectivity, we see our role more broadly — as a national carrier that showcases Poland as an attractive destination for both business and leisure travel.

Would the Central Communication Port (CPK) project help Poland serve as a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe and as a transit hub?

We are preparing for the opening of the Central Communication Port by aligning our long-term strategy to ensure that LOT Polish Airlines is positioned as the leading carrier at this new hub. Based on our current forecasts, we expect to account for around 60% of the airport’s traffic. Our ambition is to further strengthen the hub model we have successfully developed in Warsaw, leveraging our strong transfer connectivity to make CPK one of the most competitive hubs in Europe. LOT is implementing a development program with the strategic goal of building the scale of operations necessary to achieve a leading position at CPK. The profitable growth of LOT Polish Airlines remains the company’s main strategic objective. Ensuring an appropriate scale of operations is essential to strengthen our competitive position and to seize the opportunities arising from the construction of CPK. Securing LOT’s position at the Central Communication Port is not only an important strategic goal for the company, but also a matter of national interest for the Polish economy.

Once the war in Ukraine comes to an end and the market reopens, does LOT plan to play a leading role there — perhaps even aiming to dominate air connections to and from Ukraine?

Even before the unprecedented full-scale invasion of Ukraine, LOT Polish Airlines played a key role in the region by connecting Warsaw with Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. It also served as a gateway for travelers transiting to and from Ukraine on routes to dozens of destinations worldwide. These flights were among the most frequently used, helping to build vital connections across borders. In 2019, LOT Polish Airlines was the fourth-largest carrier in Ukraine by number of flights and ranked sixth by available seats. Today, these bridges are needed more than ever. LOT Polish Airlines, fulfilling its mission as Poland’s national carrier, is ready and determined to be the first to resume regular scheduled air services to Ukraine. LOT views its return to the Ukrainian market as a strategic commitment — not only to restore air links, but also to help rebuild the economy, social structures, and long-term cooperation.

You mentioned expanding long-haul flights. How important are North America and Asia for LOT’s growth strategy over the next decade?

Long-haul connections are one of the foundations of LOT’s long-term strategy. The North American market remains an absolute priority for us — it is key for business, ethnic, and tourist traffic alike. Asia, particularly Korea and Japan, is a region with enormous growth potential, driven by the dynamic development of trade, investment, and tourism. However, long-haul routes only create value when they are supported by a well-developed European network — that’s why both pillars must develop in parallel. Our goal is to achieve a balance that will ensure long-term stability and competitiveness. Effective development of the European route network contributes directly to strong passenger traffic potential on long-haul flights.

Any new connections to the U.S. or Canada soon?

Next year, we will acquire two Boeing 787 Dreamliner wide-body aircraft, which will have an impact on our long-haul network. This will either increase the frequency of existing routes, such as to Chicago or Toronto, or allow us to launch new routes in the American market.

Partnerships and alliances are crucial in aviation. How does LOT’s Star Alliance membership and cooperation with other carriers fit into your development strategy?

Membership in Star Alliance is a cornerstone of LOT Polish Airlines’ global strategy. It provides our passengers with seamless access to one of the world’s most extensive and well-integrated route networks, thereby greatly enhancing the competitiveness and appeal of our offering. Partnership in the alliance enables us to optimize operations, maximize fleet efficiency, and deliver a consistent, world-class standard of service across markets. At the same time, it strengthens our ability to compete effectively on a global scale while maintaining a strong regional identity.

In 2023 and 2024, LOT achieved record net profits. Other data also point to a very successful period for the national carrier.

That’s correct — in 2023 and 2024, we achieved record net profits. In terms of growth, since 2023 we have expanded our fleet from 76 to 87 aircraft. Thirteen more are scheduled for delivery by mid-2026, and we have signed an agreement with Airbus for 40 next-generation regional aircraft, with options and purchase rights for an additional 44. At the same time, we have broadened our network by launching 14 new routes, with more to follow. In 2024, we carried nearly 11 million passengers across domestic and international services, and July 2025 marked another record-breaking month, as LOT Polish Airlines achieved the best operating results in its 96-year history, carrying over 1.18 million passengers.

Our progress is also reflected in quality. LOT has been awarded 4 Stars and recognized as the Best Airline in Central and Eastern Europe in the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards. We also achieved record levels of punctuality and operational reliability, underscoring our commitment to delivering an outstanding passenger experience. Equally important, we have reinforced our financial foundations. These achievements demonstrate not only the effectiveness of our strategy but also LOT’s ability to combine growth, quality, and financial strength — together providing a solid foundation for our future ambitions as the leading carrier in Central and Eastern Europe.

Looking ahead to 2035, what would you consider the greatest success for LOT and for Poland’s aviation sector as a whole?

By 2035, we aim to be recognized as a strong, innovative, and resilient carrier — one that consistently expands its operations while delivering the highest standards of service to passengers. More broadly, our ambition is for Poland to emerge as one of Europe’s leading aviation hubs: competitive with the largest Western gateways, passenger-centric, and built on a foundation of sustainable solutions. Achieving a balance between dynamic growth and social responsibility would represent not only a milestone for LOT, but also a defining success for the entire Polish aviation sector.