Airbus bids for 84 planes for LOT

CPK. There is a location decision TVN24

Airbus has placed its proposal in the tender for 84 aircraft intended for LOT Polish Airlines, which will be utilized for regional routes. The firm is offering the Airbus A220 in both 100 and 300 configurations, as stated by Airbus deputy CEO Benoit de Saint-Exupery. Competing for the LOT contract, Brazilian manufacturer Embraer has also submitted a strong bid.

Just over a week ago, the French newspaper „Le Monde” reported that the CEO of Airbus is visiting Poland in hopes of securing substantial orders. LOT Polish Airlines is currently deliberating on the acquisition of new aircraft for its regional operations, specifically 84 planes. The competition involves two aircraft models: the Embraer 195-E2 and the Airbus A220.

Airbus Vice President on the offer

– Our proposal includes two variants of the A220—100 and 300 models – remarked Airbus Vice President Benoit de Saint-Exupery during his visit to Warsaw. He acknowledged that LOT is anticipating an offer for 84 regional aircraft. – The replacement of the fleet is intended to occur relatively soon, potentially commencing in 2026 or 2027 and continuing until 2030. From our understanding, LOT is expected to finalize the tender and reach a decision fairly promptly, within a few months. The sooner this happens, the better for the airline – assessed de Saint-Exupery. When asked what factors favor the choice of Airbus over Brazilian Embraers, he responded that the A220 represents the most modern platform currently in use worldwide. – The aircraft has a promising development trajectory for at least 20-30 years, and production can continue for that duration. It also possesses significant potential for enhancements, such as aerodynamics and performance improvements, which may be realized over many years to come. For LOT, this proposition is future-ready. The competition is offering aircraft based on older generation technologies, with platforms nearly 25 years old – noted the Airbus vice-president. He stated that the A220 „perfectly aligns with LOT’s ambitions and transformation plans.” – Our discussions with the airline indicate that LOT aims to grow, excel, maintain sustainability from environmental and social perspectives, and achieve lasting profitability. We have a product that addresses these four challenges – emphasized de Saint-Exupery. He highlighted that the A220 is larger and accommodates more passengers than its competitors, featuring a fuselage with a wider cross-section that ensures enhanced comfort throughout the passenger cabin. – With the increased seating capacity and a cost-per-mile ratio that is 8-9 percent lower, the proposed fleet has the potential to generate an additional profit contribution exceeding USD 2.5 billion compared to competitors – he added. In the view of the Airbus vice-president, considering the anticipated market growth in the region, with an expected rise of 33 million Polish passengers on European routes over the next 15 years alongside the Central Communication Port projected for 2032, it is evident that a larger aircraft presents a more advantageous solution. – We believe that this aircraft meets all of LOT’s requirements and is a secure investment for the future – he underscored. According to Benoit de Saint-Exupery, passenger aviation undoubtedly has significant growth prospects. – Generally, air traffic doubles every 15 years, and this trend will persist. Predictions for Poland indicate an annual increase of over 4 percent, which will lead to a doubling of traffic within 15 years. The sector is currently experiencing robust growth – he evaluated. He believes that „the latest generation aircraft, like the A220, are even more fuel-efficient, with CO2 emissions reduced by 25 percent compared to earlier generations.” – Thus, we possess a product that aligns with the intended trajectory of aviation decarbonization. It can also rapidly adapt to new generation low-emission fuels, achieving 100 percent compatibility – he added. Recently, Airbus celebrated the delivery of its 400th A220, with over 900 such aircraft ordered to date. According to the company, this aircraft operates under the banners of more than 20 airlines, covering over 1,500 routes between 470 airports across five continents. The producer of the A220 is Airbus Canada, where the aircraft is assembled from components sourced globally, approximately 40 percent of which originate from Europe. Some parts are manufactured in Poland. LOT’s fleet consists of aircraft from two manufacturers: Boeing and Embraer. Historically, the national carrier has seasonally leased Airbus planes when additional capacity was required.

Embraer's offer

Currently, LOT operates 47 Embraer aircraft of various types, including E195, E175, E190, E170, and three E195-E2— the latest generation of this model. In the tender, the Brazilian company is proposing the E195-E2. Recently, Embraer Group head Francisco Gomes Neto presented the Brazilian offer in Warsaw. He indicated that Embraer aims to enhance collaboration with the Polish industry in areas such as production, final assembly, maintenance, and aircraft repairs. – The partnership we propose in production, maintenance, and training sectors could significantly bolster the Polish economy’s position within the global aviation industry. Over the next decade, this could generate a value of 3 billion dollars for Poland and potentially create 5,000 new jobs – stated Gomes Neto.

Airbus and Embraer

Airbus designs, manufactures, and delivers aviation products, services, and solutions across the commercial aircraft, helicopters, defense, space, and security sectors to clients globally. The largest shareholders include the governments of France, Germany, and Spain, holding 10.83,

Źródło