Cluj International Airport marks 10 years of LOT Polish Airlines operations

Cluj International Airport and Cluj County Council, in partnership with the national carrier of Poland, LOT Polish Airlines, mark an important milestone in the development of air connectivity in the Transylvania region – the 10th anniversary of LOT operations at Cluj Airport.

The strategic partnership between LOT Polish Airlines and Cluj International Airport was inaugurated on March 30, 2016, with the launch of regular flights to the airline’s hub in Warsaw. Over the past decade, the consistent operation of this route has provided passengers from Transylvania with convenient access to an extensive international destination network, contributing to the development of mobility as well as economic, tourism, and diplomatic exchanges between Romania and Poland.

This anniversary was marked by an official event attended by representatives of local and regional public authorities, aviation industry, institutional partners, and members of mass media. The event highlighted the strong collaboration between Cluj International Airport and LOT Polish Airlines, as well as its significant contribution to the development and strengthening of the region’s air connectivity.

At the same time, the event brought into focus the flights to Poland’s capital, Warsaw, which enable connections through one of Europe’s most important hubs, offering easy access to destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia for all types of passenger traffic.

From Cluj International Airport, the flights to Warsaw are currently operated with 6 frequencies per week, except Tuesdays. Starting with the Summer 2026 (S26) season, the airline will increase frequencies and operate daily flights, reaching a total of 9 flights per week from Monday to Sunday. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, there will be two daily flights on the Cluj–Warsaw and Warsaw–Cluj routes, according to the schedule presented below.

Updated schedule for Cluj-Napoca – Warsaw direct flights:

Note: The flight schedule reflects local departure and arrival times. For tickets and reservations please visit www.lot.com/ro/en.

Cluj County Council President, Alin Tișe, stated on this occasion: “Celebrating 10 years since the start of LOT Polish Airlines operations at Cluj International Airport represents an important milestone for the development of air connectivity in Cluj County and the entire Transylvania region. Through the constant support of Cluj County Council, this strategic partnership has contributed to strengthening the ties between Romania and Poland, offering passengers easy access to numerous international destinations through the Warsaw hub. This successful journey reconfirms the position of Cluj International Airport as a leading regional airport and highlights the attractiveness of Cluj for major airlines. We are confident that this collaboration will continue to develop for the benefit of passengers and the economic and tourism sectors of the region.”

President of Administration Board, Viorel Federiga, stated during the event: “We are pleased to celebrate today this successful journey of the Warsaw route operated by the Polish airline LOT Polish Airlines at Cluj Airport. These achievements reflect the constant efforts of the entire Cluj International Airport team, based on professionalism, vision, and a commitment to excellence in developing the largest regional airport in Romania.”

David Ciceo, CEO of Cluj International Airport, stated: “During more than a decade of collaboration with LOT Polish Airlines on the Cluj-Napoca – Warsaw route operated from Cluj International Airport, over 300,000 passengers have travelled on this route, confirming the importance and success of this air connection for the region. Traffic on this route has experienced continuous growth, rising from approximately 12,000 passengers in the first year of operation in 2016 to over 50,000 passengers annually today. These results confirm the increasing interest in this route and its strategic role in linking the region to the international network of destinations through the Warsaw hub.”

Jakub Malecki, General Manager for Romania and the Republic of Moldova at LOT Polish Airlines, present at the event, stated: “When LOT Polish Airlines launched operations in Cluj in 2016, it began with a limited number of weekly flights, allowing us to assess the market’s potential. Over time, it became clear that this connection represents a strong, shared opportunity. Step by step, we have developed this route together. In the Summer 2026 season, we will offer up to 9 weekly flights — a milestone that reflects the joint efforts of LOT, the airport, local authorities, and our travel trade partners. We sincerely thank all our partners for their trust, continued support, and commitment to the development of this connection.”

LOT Polish Airlines is a modern carrier connecting Central and Eastern Europe with the rest of the world. LOT’s offer includes direct long-haul flights to airports in the United States, Canada, India, Japan, and South Korea. The Polish carrier has been consistently increasing the number of its flights to those destinations, thus strengthening its position in Central and Eastern Europe. It operates its long-haul flights with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most advanced wide-body aircraft in the world. Present in the sky since 1929, the Polish carrier is the 11th oldest airline worldwide and one of the most internationally recognizable Polish brands.

Following a record-breaking fiscal year in 2025, the Polish flag carrier has entered 2026 with an aggressive expansion strategy that challenges the traditional dominance of Western European “mega-hubs” like Frankfurt or Paris.

The Fleet Revolution: Embracing the Future

The cornerstone of LOT’s current success is its commitment to one of the youngest and most efficient fleets in the industry. By standardizing its long-haul operations with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the airline has achieved significant fuel savings and enhanced passenger comfort. However, the most talked-about shift in 2026 is the airline’s transition toward a more diversified short-to-medium haul fleet to increase flexibility.

Fleet Composition and Strategic Utility (2026 Data)

Warsaw as the “Gateway to the East”

The airline’s “Growing Together” strategy has successfully turned Warsaw into a primary transit point for passengers traveling from North America to destinations like Romania, Ukraine, and the Baltic States. In 2026, LOT has further solidified this by increasing frequencies to secondary airports in the region, ensuring that a traveler from New York can reach Oradea or Košice with a single, seamless connection in Warsaw.

New Horizons: Routes Launched in 2025-2026

LOT’s network expansion reflects a keen eye for both Diaspora markets and emerging business hubs:

• North America: Increased daily frequencies to Chicago and Toronto, alongside the successful stabilization of the San Francisco route.

• Asia: The revival of the Beijing and Seoul routes has been complemented by new codeshare agreements, making LOT a preferred choice for business travelers heading to the Far East.

• Europe: A renewed focus on the Balkans, with increased capacity to Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Sofia, catering to the region’s rapid economic growth.

Financial Performance and Passenger Growth

The following table illustrates the airline’s steady climb toward pre-pandemic profitability and beyond, reflecting its resilience in a competitive market.

Challenges on the Radar

Despite the optimism, LOT faces headwinds. The congestion at Warsaw Chopin Airport remains a critical bottleneck, prompting urgent discussions about the development of the Central Communication Port (CPK)—a proposed mega-airport that would allow LOT to double its fleet size by 2035. Additionally, the fluctuating cost of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) remains a concern as the airline strives to meet the EU’s stringent “Fit for 55” environmental targets.

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