The first-ever LOT Polish Airlines (LOT) direct flight from Warsaw to Colombo touched down at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last week as Sri Lanka welcomed holiday-makers, journalists, and a top-tier trade delegation from Poland and across the EU, with the expectation of fuelling the growth momentum of the recovering tourism sector.
Among the passengers were Poland’s Minister of Interior, Maciej Lang, Polish Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Adam Burakowski, Polish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, Michał Fijoł, and company spokesperson, Michał Czernicki, as well as Poland’s next Miss Universe, flight attendant, Olga Buława.
“All of us at Polish Airlines are excited to join our local partners in celebrating the touchdown of our very first direct flight to Colombo. Given Sri Lanka’s rising prominence as a must-visit destination in Asia, we are confident of the improved connectivity enabled by LOT’s three weekly flights which will help to increase tourist arrivals, while providing globetrotting Sri Lankans with a convenient and comfortable option for travelling to Poland, Central Europe or any other destinations we fly to,” the Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, Michał Fijoł said.
The airline working in partnership with the aviation sector of Hayleys PLC, commenced its three flights a week, service from Warsaw to Colombo. This is in time for the start of the peak winter tourist season which will continue till the end of March next year.
Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive, Mohan Pandithage said, “Hayleys is proud to give a warm Sri Lankan welcome to the first group of travellers to fly on LOT Polish Airlines directly to Colombo. We thank each our honoured guests for choosing to visit and explore our beautiful paradise island, and we hope that you are able to return home having experienced true Sri Lankan hospitality. On behalf of the entire tourism industry, we also extend our sincere gratitude to LOT Polish Airlines for their support in further enhancing Sri Lanka’s connectivity to Poland and Central Europe, which we are confident will be of immense benefit to the entire tourism and hospitality sector.”
The new connection will be operated using modern wide-bodied aircraft in the world – the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Each aircraft offers passengers the choice between three service classes: Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class.
LOT Polish Airlines is among the world’s oldest airlines and was set up in 1929. It operates from Warsaw Chopin Airport and is a member of the Star Alliance. The airline hosts 9 million passengers every year and flies from Warsaw to over 110 destinations in Poland, Europe, North America and Asia by using six long-haul flights from Warsaw to Asian destinations. It operates one of the youngest aircraft fleets flying in Europe.