Airbus Enters LOT Fleet Modernization Race
Airbus has officially entered the race to modernize LOT Polish Airlines’ regional fleet, offering its versatile A220 airliner in both A220-100 and A220-300 variants. The move comes in response to a tender for 84 regional planes organized by Poland’s national carrier. According to Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Airbus Vice President, the company is proposing both variants of the A220 as a replacement for LOT’s aging fleet of regional jets, signaling a potential new chapter for the carrier.
LOT Polish Airlines currently operates a fleet of 50 regional jets, including various models from manufacturers such as Boeing, Embraer, and Bombardier. The airline has been exploring options to modernize its fleet, and its decision ultimately narrows down to either Airbus’s A220 or Embraer’s E2 family. The choice is expected to be announced in the coming months, with fleet replacement set to begin as early as 2026 or 2027 and continue until 2030.
The Airbus A220 is known for its efficiency and performance, qualities that make it a competitive option in the regional aircraft market. The A220-100 is designed to seat between 100 and 135 passengers, while the larger A220-300 can accommodate between 120 and 160 passengers. In terms of range, the A220-100 offers an impressive 6,390 kilometers, while the A220-300 is capable of flying up to 6,297 kilometers. These figures not only highlight the A220’s ability to handle long regional routes but also its potential to serve routes that may have been traditionally flown by widebody aircraft.
In contrast, Embraer’s E2 family, which stands as the primary rival in this tender, includes the E175-E2, E190-E2, and E195-E2 models. The E175-E2 typically carries up to 90 passengers, the E190-E2 seats 114, and the E195-E2 accommodates up to 146 passengers. However, the range of these aircraft is generally lower compared to the A220. For instance, the E195-E2 has a range of up to 4,815 kilometers, and the E190-E2 can cover approximately 5,278 kilometers, making the A220 variants more appealing for longer routes within the region.
The tender marks a significant opportunity for Airbus to secure its first entry into LOT’s regional fleet, even though the A220 is already in service with several European carriers. LOT’s current fleet, according to Planespotters.com, consists of 16 Embraer ERJ-195s, eight ERJ-190s, 15 ERJ-175s, five ERJ-170s, and three E195-E2 jets. This diverse fleet reflects LOT’s long history of operating aircraft from various manufacturers, a strategy that the airline may now evolve as it looks to standardize and modernize its regional operations.
If LOT selects the A220, the replacement process will not only enhance the airline’s operational efficiency but also provide passengers with a more comfortable, fuel-efficient travel experience. As airlines worldwide continue to update their fleets in the face of rising fuel costs and growing environmental concerns, LOT’s decision will have a lasting impact on its competitiveness and service quality. With the tender decision expected soon, industry observers are eagerly watching to see which manufacturer will prevail in this critical modernization effort.
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