LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787. Courtesy, LOT
LOT Polish Airlines is facing massive layoffs and deep restructuring measures as it struggles to survive, according to Poland's prime minister Donald Tusk. He has been quoted in several Polish media outlets as saying, “Either there is a change [within the airline] or LOT will not survive.”
Additionally, Mikosz told journalists that LOT’s two Boeing 787s will be removed from the summer schedule through October. Its two 787s are among all Dreamliners affected by the current grounding.
Last month, LOT received a $127 million emergency government loan in a bid to continue operations. The Polish government, which is a 93% majority owner, said it would reduce the size of the flag carrier, hoping to make the company profitable again. The carrier announced it would cut staff 30% and cut its fleet from 40 to 25 aircraft.
“The near future will be a particularly difficult stage in the history of LOT,” the airline’s recently reappointed CEO Sebastian Mikosz said in a statement. “Both the management board and the employees face a major challenge, but I am convinced that with some sacrifices we will make it together,” Mikosz added.
LOT plans to increase the number of flights on profitable routes and eliminate loss-making ones. The adjustments will be introduced in the summer flight schedule, effective March 31.
LOT will increase frequencies on its long-haul network from Warsaw to Chicago O’Hare and New York JFK to 11X-weekly. The carrier will maintain its three weekly Warsaw-Beijing services.
atwonline.com
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