LONDON – LOT Polish Airlines has announced the hiring of its first group of Ukrainian crews. Seventeen people have begun working with the Polish carrier on June 9. All have experience of working for Ukrainian airlines.
European airlines have been eagerly awaiting the start of this year’s summer season. In the forecasts of many carriers, it was to be the first as good as those before the pandemic.
LOT also had quite ambitious plans and counted on 8 million passengers this year. Unfortunately, these plans had to be verified after Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
We had to cancel around 9% of our routes and reschedule a number of connections to the Far East. In individual cases, flight times increased by 4 or even 6 hours, while at the same time assuring us of the company’s determination to deal with this situation as well. We are returning to normality and a normal growth trajectory. For this to be successful, however, the war behind our eastern border must end. Ukraine is a very important market for us. Besides, aviation loves peace we need normal, stable and peaceful development. Today, the disorders are horrendous
said Rafał Milczarski, LOT Polish Airlines CEO.
The airline had to change its strategy
In exchange for connections to the East, LOT quickly launched several new destinations, including Baku, Cairo, Sarajevo and Pristine.
Combined with the large number of aircraft contracted on charter routes and the lack of technical problems with the fleet, of which the Dreamliners and 737 MAX had quite a few before the pandemic, this means a large increase in demand for cabin crew. Recruitment started some time ago.
LOT Cabin Crew has started recruitment for cabin crew members. We can expect the first newly recruited stewardesses and pilots this year. This means that the situation is returning to normal The company wants to get closer to the level of the number of co-workers before the pandemic. – In 2023, we assume the addition of more aircraft to our fleet. We are planning a net of fourteen Dreamliners in order to have a technical reserve, and in 2019, having the same number of these planes and a large part grounded due to the engines, we have never reached the number of personnel corresponding to such a large fleet
comments Maciej Wilk, Board Member for Operations at LOT Polish Airlines.
The increase in staff goes hand in hand with the start of full use of the resources which LOT already had at its disposal.
LOT helps Ukraine
From the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, LOT Polish Airlines and its employees have been involved in organising humanitarian aid. As part of these activities, a process of employing airline workers from Ukraine has also been initiated.
As of 9 June, seventeen people (sixteen stewardesses and one steward) have begun working with LOT.
Today is their first day at work. All the new cabin crew members have experience of working for Ukrainian airlines
informs the LOT Press Office.
