Embraer or Airbus: LOT Polish Airlines seeks replacement for its E-Jets

LOT Polish Airlines is preparing a Request For Proposal (RFP) to acquire 84 new regional aircraft: the Polish airline needs to replace its Embraer first-generation E-Jets fleet, which has been operating for 20 years.

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The Deputy Minister of State Heritage, Jacek Bartminski, has held meetings with senior executives from Airbus and Embraer to discuss the future of LOT Polish Airlines‘ fleet.

Currently, LOT operates a fleet of 41 Embraer E-Jet E1 aircraft that must be replaced in the short term. This situation has sparked a new competition between Airbus and Embraer to secure this critical order.

Potential Replacements

The models under consideration to replace the E170, E175, E190, and E195 are the Airbus A220 and the Embraer E2. Both are highly competitive in the regional aircraft segment and offer significant improvements in operational efficiency compared to their predecessors.

The decision for LOT Polish Airlines involves evaluating long-term operational profitability. Although both models are more efficient than the previous generation, their design and operational philosophy differ.

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Migrating pilots from E-Jet E1 would be less costly in the case of the E2. However, opting for the Airbus A220 would entail higher migration costs, crew certification, and training and maintenance for the new fleet.

LOT Polish Airlines aims to achieve a fleet of 110 aircraft by the end of 2028, representing a 48% increase compared to its current fleet.

LOT and Embraer

LOT Polish Airlines is part of the history of the Embraer E-jets family of aircraft, as it was the launch customer of the E170, ushering in the Brazilian manufacturer’s era in the regional aviation segment.

The airline took delivery of its first Embraer regional aircraft, an E170, on March 5, 2004. This aircraft, which was registered as SP-LDA and the first E-Jet in history, retired in November 2014. The current E170 fleet is configured to carry 76 passengers.

The first E175LR arrived at the Polish company on April 25, 2006, followed by three E175STDs with a capacity for 88 passengers.

On April 8, 2011, LOT received its first Embraer E195, the largest model in the E-Jets family, with a capacity to carry 112 to 118 passengers in two classes, depending on the subvariant.

Finally, on December 13, 2018, the first E190 arrived, with a capacity for 106 passengers in a single class.

Currently, LOT operates all variants of the E-Jets E1 aircraft family:

• 5 E170;
• 13 E175;
• 8 E190;
• 15 E195.