WARSAW – On the last day of May, LOT launches new services to India and Egypt. Onboard the national carrier’s aircraft we can now fly to Mumbai and Cairo.
Back to Egypt
After nearly eight years, LOT returns to Egypt. The country’s capital is set to become LOT’s foothold in Africa and attract more than just tourists.
The war in Ukraine is prompting growing interest in economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly with regard to gas imports and food exports.
Service to Egypt is one of the national carrier’s new destinations, alongside Pristina, Sarajevo, Mumbai, and Baku.
Their launch should be associated with the stoppage of air traffic between Poland, Ukraine, and Russia due to the closure of the airspace of these countries and the ongoing war.
Before 2020 Ukraine, Belarus and Russia add more than 13 percent of LOT’s passengers. So now the carrier had to significantly change its plans.
Polish carrier will fly to the capital of Egypt five times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays on a schedule (local times):
LO 149 WAW 1500 – 1900 CAI E190 (1-34-67)
The return flight will be served on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays on a schedule (local times):
LO 150 CAI 1100 – 1515 WAW E190 (12-45-7)
Flights will be operated by their Embraer E190, which will take on board 106 passengers.
Cairo is not only for tourists
On 31st May, the first LOT Polish Airlines plane flies into Cairo.
The return of the national carrier to the Egyptian capital is, however, not only an attempt to seek new markets to replace those lost in the east, but also an opportunity to establish a presence in Africa, which, in the current geopolitical situation, is beginning to gain in importance.
I am very pleased that we are opening a new connection, thanks to which we will be able to offer tourists from Poland not only seaside resorts, but also other attractions. However, the new connection is not only about tourism, it will expand political, economic, cultural and student exchange cooperation. I hope that it will contribute to bringing our two countries and our two capitals even closer
said Michał Fijoł, Member of the LOT Polish Airlines Board, just before the first plane to Cairo took off.
Bridgehead in Africa
Cairo should also be seen as LOT’s first bridgehead in Africa. Cooperation with the local carrier could be an interesting prospect.
It is also a connection between LOT’s hub in Warsaw and the hub of our Star Alliance partner, Egypt Air, with which LOT will be signing an agreement on expanded cooperation so that passengers have convenient transfers in Cairo for connections across Africa.
From LOT’s point of view, Cairo is a convenient place to expand the cooperation, as it can be reached by Embraer planes. This would not be possible in the case of cooperation with Ethiopian Airlines, the largest African carrier in the Alliance.
The fact that the connection to the Egyptian capital fits in well with the long-haul and European network is confirmed by LOT itself. On board, the first plane were passengers from Los Angeles and New York, as well as from London, Munich, and Oslo.
This will be a year-round connection – we will also fly in the winter four times a week. Perhaps with a larger plane
Fijoł assured.
A day before the launch of LOT’s regular flights to Egypt, President Andrzej Duda paid an official visit to the country.
According to the information provided by his Chancellery, the talks with Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al Sisi concerned the development of economic, military, and agricultural cooperation as well as Polish food exports.
Mumbai – next route to India
LOT also launches flights to Mumbai on 31st May. This is the national carrier’s second route to India. In early spring, travelers flying from Warsaw once again enjoy flights to Delhi.
India is one of the most exotic destinations in our network of connections. We are happy that after the break due to the pandemic our Dreamliners can land there again.
Providing a direct connection is a very important element in strengthening the Polish-Indian cooperation.
It is also a great offer for Poles who choose India as their holiday destination. I am convinced that passengers from Delhi and Mumbai will also appreciate the connection, which will enable them to reach many European cities, as well as the USA and Canada, in a comfortable manner
emphasises Rafał Milczarski, LOT’s CEO.
Mumbai flight schedule
LOT will fly to Mumbai twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays on a schedule (local times):
LO 075 WAW 1540 – 0245+1 BOM B788/B789 (-2—6-)
The return flight will be served on Wednesdays and Sundays on a schedule (local times):
LO 076 BOM 0845 – 1340 WAW B788/B789 (–3—7)
Flights will be operated by Boeing B787-8/9 Dreamliners, depending on the cargo and passenger needs.
They can take on board in turn 252 and 294 passengers in 3 class configuration.
Flights to Delhi relaunched
For comparison, the Delhi route is already again operated five times a week from this spring.
It is also worth mentioning that on flights to India, LOT has prepared a dedicated product for passengers. Featuring Indian elements regional cuisine meals, an in-flight entertainment system available in Hindi, as well as Bollywood movies.
LOT also recalled that it had already flown five times a week to India last year with cargo services. Just because passengers weren’t flying to Delhi didn’t mean that cargo services weren’t being provided.
Dreamliners flew three times a week to Delhi and twice to Mumbai. Last year, these were the most profitable destinations for the Polish carrier.
