Polish LOT suspends flights from Warsaw and Krakow due to fuel price increase

Polish airline LOT has decided to temporarily suspend a number of European air routes due to the rise in aviation fuel prices and high competition. The changes will affect flights from Warsaw and Krakow to Italy and Spain. The carrier plans to resume connections in spring 2027.

This is reported by the Polish outlet Rzeczpospolita, citing PAP and airline spokesperson Krzysztof Moczulski.

According to the carrier, by the end of October LOT will suspend flights between Warsaw and Bologna. Flights from Krakow to three European cities will also be suspended for the winter period:

• Madrid, Spain;
• Rome, Italy;
• Barcelona, Spain.

Resumption of these routes is planned for early April 2027, when the airline switches to the summer schedule. In addition, LOT plans to reduce flight frequency on some other routes.

The airline's spokesperson explained that the decision was made after analyzing the profitability of the route network. One of the determining factors was a significant increase in aviation fuel costs.

According to Moczulski, as recently as February fuel accounted for approximately 25% of the airline's total costs, while now its share can reach 40%.

An additional factor was intense competition among air carriers in Central Europe. Because of this, it is more difficult for companies to raise ticket prices to offset the fuel cost increase.

According to International Air Transport Association (IATA) data cited by the Polish outlet, in mid-October global aviation fuel prices were almost 114% higher than a year earlier. The main increase occurred after the escalation of the military conflict in the Persian Gulf region in late February.

At the same time, LOT is not giving up on expanding other routes. The company is developing long-haul operations: it has already opened a route to Bangkok and plans to launch flights to Hanoi at the end of March.

By mid-2027, the carrier also expects to receive four additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. They are planned to be used to increase flight frequency on existing routes, and the possibility of opening new destinations is also being considered.

For Ukrainian passengers, the changes mean a reduction in the number of available direct flights from Polish airports to certain cities in Italy and Spain. Those planning trips via Warsaw or Krakow during the winter season should check the current schedule and booking status directly with the airline.

Source: Rzeczpospolita / PAP