LOT suspends some routes until April, citing high fuel prices and competition

Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT is introducing its winter flight timetable and suspending some routes until April. The carrier's spokesman, Krzysztof Moczulski, announced this on Monday 19 October 2026.

Which routes have been suspended

The decision was first reported by Informacyjna Agencja Radiowa (IAR). According to its information, cited by PAP, LOT will suspend flights between Warsaw and Bologna by the end of October. It will also halt flights from Kraków to Madrid, Rome and Barcelona.

The spokesman added that the frequency of flights will also be reduced on selected routes. The airline plans to restore the suspended routes at the beginning of April, when it returns to its summer timetable.

Fuel and competition

Moczulski explained that the analysis of the route network took into account many factors affecting profitability. One of the most important at present is high fuel prices. According to the spokesman, their impact on costs is much greater than in February, when fuel accounted for about 25 per cent of an airline's costs. Today, he said, it could be as much as 40 per cent.

The second reason is strong competition in the Central European market. It limits the scope for raising ticket prices, which could offset the more expensive fuel.

According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in mid-October global jet fuel prices were almost 114 per cent higher than a year earlier. The sharp rise came at the turn of February and March, after the outbreak of armed conflict in the Persian Gulf.

More long-haul flights

At the same time, LOT is expanding its intercontinental offer. Moczulski recalled that the carrier has already launched a route to Bangkok and will begin flying to Hanoi at the end of March.

The fleet is set to grow: four Dreamliners will join it by the middle of next year. They will be used to increase the frequency of flights on existing routes. The airline is also considering adding further destinations.

The sources do not give a full list of suspended or reduced routes. Passengers who have booked tickets should check the status of their flight with the carrier.