Polishing India connection

Amit Ray, Director India, LOT Polish Airlines, shares how the airline is making its presence felt in the Indian market, ensuring that its time, service and offerings are different from other European carriers, whether it is for direct connections or transit business.

Nisha Verma

After beginning its India operations in 2019 and then facing a pandemic, LOT Polish Airlines has restarted its operations in the country with a bang and is planning to expand its horizons in the country.

Amit Ray, Director India, LOT Polish Airlines, said, “We started our India operations in September 2019 by launching new nonstop flights between Delhi and Warsaw, followed by new flights from Mumbai to Warsaw in June 2022, hence offering seven flights per week from India to our Star Alliance hub in Warsaw: from Delhi every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; and from Mumbai every Sunday and Wednesday.”

Highlighting the network of the  airlines, Ray said, “At Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, our guests enjoy seamless connectivity to the global network of LOT Polish Airlines providing a broad choice of destinations throughout Europe and North America. All LOT Polish Airlines flights from Delhi and Mumbai are operated by modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner offering three classes of service onboard: Economy Class, Premium Economy Class and Business Class.”

Expansion on cards

On the India market expansion, Moczulski Krzysztof, spokesperson of LOT Polish Airlines Warsaw, said, “India has a great potential for us and we definitely want to strengthen our position (in the country). As we are recovering from the impact of pandemic, we have gradually increased our frequencies and consider new destinations.”

High on India

Sharing that India remains a significant market for LOT Polish Airlines, Ray said, “We see significant potential for growth in India, being one of the most important international markets for LOT Polish Airlines, and we remain committed to this market.”

However, with so many other European airlines plying from India, it is not an easy market to tap. Ray shares, “In terms of bookings and market forecast, and perhaps even more importantly, based on consumer and B2B feedback from the Indian point-of-sale market, we are convinced that LOT Polish Airlines and India fit together very well. Our mid-morning departure time from Delhi and Mumbai distinguishes us from other European carriers for example. Secondly, we provide a seamless and hassle-free transfer experience at our hometown airport in Warsaw, when connecting to onward flights across Europe and North America. LOT Polish Airlines’ dense network in Central and Eastern Europe gives access to unexplored leisure destinations, while also providing connectivity to the business and industrial centres in Western Europe. Besides having a young fleet, three classes of service on intercontinental flights, we are a member of Star Alliance and offer travel choices as well as additional benefits and frequent flyer recognition. LOT Polish Airlines is a fully integrated partner of the Miles & More frequent flyer programme.”

Aircraft and service

“All of LOT Polish Airlines long-haul flights are exclusively operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircrafts. Due to popular demand from India, we primarily deploy our B787-9 aircraft on the India routes, offering three classes of service (Economy Class, Premium Economy Class, Business Class),”claimed Ray.

When it comes to catering to the needs of Indian passengers, Ray informed, “These state-of-the-art aircraft offer a comfortable passenger experience which, among other features, includes a special mood light system helping guests to rest and relax while onboard so that they reach their destination more refreshed. Also, Indian meals onboard catered by Taj Sats are served aboard our India originating flights, while our inflight entertainment offers a wide choice of Bollywood blockbusters and classics.