After an absence of nearly 10 years LOT – Polish Airlines will resume flights to China from March 30, 2008 with a four times a week service linking Warsaw and Beijing.
Initially the Polish flag carrier will utilize Boeing 767 aircraft. It’s expected, however, that these will be replaced with B787 Dreamliners from autumn 2008.
Mitch Ihnatowicz- Representative Manager, Representative Manager, LOT Polish Airlines, represented through GSA World Aviation Systems, has campaigned for many years for the resumption of flights.
[Pictured: Agents can now book clients on LOT – Polish Airlines flights between Warsaw and Beijing.]
While a final decision has yet to be made LOT may work with fellow Star Alliance member Air China to carry Australian passengers to Beijing, he said.
Depending upon the financial results of its return to China, LOT could expand further its Far East network to include Seoul, Hanoi or Tokyo.
Mr Ihnatowicz was upbeat about the resumption of the flights predicting that tourist traffic from Australia would increase significantly during 2008.
It’s hard to estimate what the figure might reach as Australians do not require a visa for a stay up to 90 days but 10,000 should be achievable, he said.
[Pictured: About 7000 Australians visited the birth country of Copernicus, the astronomer and Chopin, the composer, in 2006.]
Chopin is remembered in Warsaw’s Lazienki Park, a leafy setting for summertime concerts.
The cultural life of Warsaw, indeed Poland, is a favourite aspect with many Australians, said Mr Ihnatowicz.
The Chopin Festival held at Dszniki Spa every August is a cultural highlight of the year though there are other major musical events like opera and ballet staged throughout the year, he added.
Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor
