LOT WRAPS UP 2021
Warsaw, February 4, 2022 – Strengthened position in tourist transport, continued high position in the cargo segment and slower-than-expected growth dynamics in the scheduled flight network. This is how LOT wraps up the past year.
Due to the emergence of new coronavirus variants and uncertainty over traveling, the air travel market did not bounce back last year as experts used to predict it in late 2020. LOT, however, leveraged this period to expand its business in the vacation travel segment – through our partnerships with travel agents, we completed four times as many charter operations as in 2020. In the cargo segment, LOT positioned itself as the leader in the Polish market, shipping almost twice as much cargo as in 2020. The national carrier carried out a total of over 54 thousand operations on 151 routes, visiting 109 airports and transporting nearly 4.2 million Passengers on a total distance of 80 million kilometers. While the number of Guests on board flights to North America has returned to 2019 levels following the lifting of entry restrictions to New York (JFK and EWR) and Chicago, the Asian network – Seoul, Tokyo or Beijing/Daxing – continues to be significantly reduced. Within the European network, flights to Paris and Vilnius were among the top choices, while Tirana turned out to be an absolute smash, becoming the top holiday destination. In the winter season, flights to Dubai, launched in autumn, and the resumed flights to Colombo and Miami gained much popularity.
The year 2021 also marks the introduction of more Passenger-focused improvements and amenities. Passengers flying on board our Boeing 737s can now enjoy a wireless in-flight entertainment system, a new meal offer for Economy Class Passengers, and thanks to a freshly redesigned lot.com website, purchasing a ticket or ordering additional services is now faster and more convenient.
– The time of the pandemic has hit the airline industry particularly harshly. However, at LOT Polish Airlines, we have seized this period to take advantage of all the upcoming business opportunities, developing where demand was greatest - in holiday and cargo transport. I would like to thank our Guests for every single journey on board our aircraft, and our Business Partners for their trust and cooperation – Michał Fijoł, LOT Chief Commercial Officer, remarked.
Maciej Wilk, Chief Operating Officer, in turn, recapitulated the results of the operational area: – Taking into account all the impediments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, I positively assess LOT Polish Airlines’ operational performance for 2021. With regularity rating of 99.7% and 86% of flights landing on time, we rank 8th on the list of most punctual carriers in Europe. I would also like to thank everyone involved in LOT Polish Airlines operations: handling agents, air traffic control services, airport employees and engineers, LOT employees and associates. By working together, we have succeeded in achieving such strong results. I strongly believe that this year will be even better.