LOT lacks sufficient aircraft to service its routes as some of its Embraer aircraft have been loaned to the government.

 

On Monday, LOT was forced to cancel flights to Hanover and Munich, owing to faults with aircraft. Reserve planes were not able to fill the gap, as the key planes were at the disposal of the government, and it was not possible to obtain clearance on those models.

A similar dilemma occurred in October, when a group representing the Katyn families, headed by First Lady Anna Komorowska, was stranded at Vitebsk airport.

In spite of problems with numbers of aircraft, LOT recently signed a lucrative deal with the government, further reducing the planes available. Two planes were put at the disposal of the government for VIPs, on a contract that is worth 25 million zloty (6 million euro) per annum. However, those planes are now off limits as reserve options.

The situation was due to improve with the purchase of new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, whose delivery has been postponed for the past three years. LOT is the first European carrier that awaits the new aircraft. (nh/jb)

Source: Rzeczpospolita