LOT Polish Airlines has reconsidered its fleet renewal plan after the most critical period of the pandemic. In an interview with Fly4Free website, Maciej Wilk, member of the board of directors of the carrier, the plans regarding new regional jets from Embraer and Airbus.
“We are currently evaluating [next-generation aircraft] and currently the choice is between the Embraer E2 and the Airbus A220,” Wilk said.
LOT currently has 49 regional aircraft in its fleet, including Q400 turboprops and Embraer regional jets, so the potential agreement will be at least 50 firm orders.
The Polish airline was the launch customer of the E-Jet family when it received the first production E170 in 2004. The company maintains a fleet of 35 Embraer aircraft, including all versions (in addition to the E170, also the E175, E190 and E195 ).
Before the pandemic, LOT had agreed the purchase of E195 jets with Azul, which had decided to accelerate the receipt of the new E195-E2, however, the agreement was terminated due to changes in air travel in relation to a more sustainable agenda.
Experience with Brazilian planes suggests favoritism, however, Wilk noted that “the Embraer Series 1 and Series 2 are 90% different aircraft” in terms of structure, replacement parts and other factors.
In addition to having already decided to retire the Q400s, LOT is also in a bad mood with Boeing, of which it is a customer of the 787 Dreamliner and 737. on delivery of the 737 MAX.
For that reason, a broader offering from Airbus, which could supply not only the A220 but also the A320neo family, would be an attractive alternative.
LOT, however, did not estimate when it should make the announcement of the chosen aircraft.
