Near on 4.2 million passengers: LOT Polish Airlines has published its results for 2021. The national carrier's report shows that it preserved a strong position in cargo and strengthened its presence in tourist transport, though dynamics of growth within the regular network have been far slower than expected.
In 2021, LOT carried out a total of over 54 thousand operations on 151 routes, visiting 109 airports and transporting near on 4.2 million passengers on a total distance of 80 million kilometres.
LOT notes that after restrictions were lifted numbers of passengers on flights to North America (New York and Chicago) returned to 2019 levels, but low interest remained in respect of Asian destinations such as Seoul, Tokyo or Beijing/Daxing.
In Europe, Paris and Vilnius were among the top choices, and also Tirana, which proved the most popular holiday destination.
Because of the continuing uncertainty on the commercial airline market resulting from restrictions connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021 the market did not bounce back as expected. LOT turned to cooperation with travel bureaus to expand its charter operations, realizing four times as many holiday charter flights than in 2020.
The national carrier continues to lead the cargo segment in Poland, almost doubling its result from 2020.
LOT adds that with its regularity rating of 99.7% and 86% of flights landing on time, the airline is 8th on the list of most punctual carriers in Europe.
Source: IAR