Biznes Fakty
LOT: Airbus wins the tender for aircraft
Airbus has successfully secured a contract for aircraft intended to support the airline’s regional routes, as reported by LOT. This agreement was revealed by representatives of both entities on Monday in Paris. The new aircraft deliveries are set to commence in 2027.
Officials from PLL LOT and Airbus disclosed the contract during the Paris Air Show, with the presence of Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak. The deal encompasses the delivery of 40 aircraft in two variants: -100 and -300, scheduled between 2027 and 2031, along with an option for an additional 44 aircraft.
According to LOT, the initial aircraft will be integrated into the airline’s fleet in 2027, and eventually, the fleet servicing regional routes will comprise solely Airbus A220-100 and -300 aircraft following the retirement of older aircraft models. This transition will streamline flight scheduling and enhance operational efficiency, the airline highlighted.
The Airbus A220-100 accommodates between 108 to 133 passengers, while the A220-300 can carry between 130 to 160 passengers. The aircraft boasts a maximum range of 6,700 kilometers and is powered by Pratt&Whitney PW1500G engines.
In this tender, Airbus faced competition from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer.
Tusk on aircraft acquisition
„The agreement has been finalized! LOT is acquiring 40 state-of-the-art Airbus A220 aircraft, with an option to procure 44 more,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on social media on Monday.
„This marks the largest investment in the history of the Polish national airline. We are establishing a leader in air travel across Europe,” the Prime Minister added.
„A landmark achievement”
As stated by LOT CEO Michał Fijoł during the ceremony, the introduction of the A220 aircraft presents new avenues for growth and development, which are essential to the airline’s strategy. – These modern, fuel-efficient jets, designed with passenger comfort in mind, will enable us to compete effectively in the European airspace, augmenting our status as the preferred airline in our region and positioning LOT to become a leading airline at the Central Communication Port – Fijoł assessed.
– This order for 40 Airbus A220s is a significant milestone as we officially welcome LOT Polish Airlines into the Airbus family. The A220 will be pivotal in LOT’s fleet modernization and route expansion strategy. The A220-100 and A220-300 models are perfectly suited to meet these requirements – emphasized Airbus Vice President Benoit de Saint-Exupéry.
In 2025, Airbus reached the milestone of delivering its 400th A220; as of June 2025, over 420 A220s are operational worldwide with 20 airlines. The largest operators include Delta, AirBaltic, JetBlue, and Air France. Currently, there are 900 new aircraft orders.
The A220 is produced by Airbus Canada. The aircraft is assembled in Mirabel, Quebec, from components sourced globally, with approximately 40 percent coming from Europe. Certain parts are manufactured in Poland. A second final assembly location exists in Mobile, Alabama, USA. Initially, the A220 was a Canadian Bombardier project known as the CSeries. Airbus acquired the aviation division of Bombardier along with the aircraft’s design. The aircraft conducted its inaugural flight as the CS100 in 2013 and began service with its first customers in 2016.
As Benoit de Saint-Exupéry noted in an interview with PAP this March, the A220 is the newest platform currently in use globally, with a promising development horizon of at least 20-30 years, allowing for extended production. The aircraft also possesses significant potential for enhancements in aerodynamics and performance, which may be realized over many years – he remarked.
Airbus designs, manufactures, and supplies aerospace products, services, and solutions across various segments including commercial aircraft, helicopters, defense, space, and security to clients worldwide. The principal shareholders are the governments of France, Germany, and Spain, holding 10.83, 10.82, and just over 4 percent of shares, respectively. The company is publicly traded on the Paris, Frankfurt, and Spanish stock exchanges, where nearly 74 percent of shares are in circulation. The company’s capitalization approaches EUR 130 billion.
