Commercial Aviation
LOT Polish Airlines Wet-Leases Airbus A320 for Warsaw Tel Aviv Route
LOT Polish Airlines wet-leases an Airbus A320 from Electra Airways to serve its Warsaw-Tel Aviv route during winter 2025/2026 season.
LOT Polish Airlines Secures A320 for Tel Aviv Route in Strategic Wet-Lease Deal
In a move that underscores the need for operational agility in a complex market, LOT Polish Airlines has secured an Airbus A320-200 through a wet-lease agreement to service its daily route between Warsaw and Tel Aviv. This arrangement with Bulgarian ACMI specialist Electra Airways is set for the entire winter 2025/2026 season, highlighting a tactical approach to managing capacity on a route characterized by both high demand and regional volatility. The decision allows LOT to maintain a consistent presence in a recovering market without the long-term financial commitments of a direct aircraft acquisition.
The strategy of wet-leasing, also known as an ACMI lease, is a well-established practice in the aviation industry. It provides the lessee airline with not just the aircraft but also the crew, maintenance, and insurance, offering a turnkey solution for rapid capacity adjustments. For LOT, this approach is particularly relevant for the Tel Aviv route. The airline was among the first to resume services following the 2024 Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, but the route has faced suspensions due to security concerns. This new agreement demonstrates a calculated effort to balance robust passenger demand with the operational challenges inherent in the region, ensuring service continuity while mitigating risk.
This partnership with Electra Airways replaces a previously suspended contract with Hello Jets, which had operated the route using a Boeing 737-800. The switch to an Airbus A320 marks a slight but deliberate adjustment in capacity and signals a flexible fleet management strategy. As the Tel Aviv market continues to show significant growth, with numerous international carriers expanding their services, LOT’s use of a wet-lease positions it to compete effectively while remaining adaptable to shifting circumstances.
A Closer Look at the Agreement and Aircraft
The core of this new arrangement is a 19.1-year-old Airbus A320-200, registered as LZ-EAH. The aircraft is owned by Genesis Aircraft Services and has a history of service with several carriers, including its first delivery to Air Arabia in 2006, followed by stints with Rossiya, Interjet, and Ultra Air. This seasoned aircraft is configured with 180 all-economy seats, powered by CFM International CFM56 engines. The choice of this specific aircraft represents a minor capacity reduction from the 189-seat Boeing 737-800 previously used by Hello Jets, suggesting a strategic fine-tuning of supply to meet current demand projections for the winter season.
Commercial operations under this new agreement began on October 26, 2025. The aircraft was ferried from Varna, Bulgaria, to Tel Aviv the day before, ready to commence its daily round-trip service to Warsaw Chopin. An interesting operational detail is that the aircraft is scheduled to be parked overnight in Tel Aviv, a logistical choice that streamlines its daily schedule. This comprehensive ACMI lease ensures that all aspects of the operation, from flight crew to line maintenance, are handled by Electra Airways, allowing LOT to focus on sales and network integration.
The decision to wet-lease is not an isolated one for LOT. The Polish flag carrier is also planning to wet-lease a B777-200ER from Privilege Style starting in late November 2025. This broader pattern indicates that leasing is a key component of LOT’s current operational strategy, used to supplement its in-house fleet during periods of high demand or when specific aircraft types are needed for particular routes. It provides a crucial buffer, enabling the airline to seize market opportunities without overextending its own resources.
By utilizing a wet-lease, LOT can navigate the complexities of the Tel Aviv market, balancing significant, double-digit capacity growth with the flexibility needed to respond to regional instability.
Strategic Implications in a Competitive Market
LOT’s reliance on a wet-lease for the Tel Aviv route is a direct reflection of the market’s unique dynamics. The region is experiencing a strong rebound in air travel, with major players like KLM, Scandinavian Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Delta all expanding their services. This influx of capacity creates a highly competitive environment. For LOT, using an ACMI lease is a low-risk way to maintain its market share and cater to the growing demand without committing to a permanent fleet expansion on a route that has historically been subject to sudden disruptions.
The move also introduces a temporary diversification to LOT’s narrowbody fleet, which is composed exclusively of Boeing aircraft, specifically, eighteen B737-8s and six B737-800s. While the A320 is operated by Electra Airways, its presence in LOT’s schedule is a noteworthy tactical decision. It allows the airline to maintain service without needing to train its own crews or establish maintenance protocols for a new aircraft type, showcasing the efficiency of the ACMI model. This flexibility is paramount in post-ceasefire environments where market conditions can evolve rapidly.
Ultimately, this strategy is about resource management and risk mitigation. By outsourcing the operational complexities of the Tel Aviv route to a specialist like Electra Airways, LOT can allocate its own Boeing fleet to other parts of its network. This ensures that its core fleet is deployed in the most stable and predictable markets, while the more volatile routes are served through flexible, short-to-medium-term leasing arrangements. It’s a pragmatic approach that prioritizes both service continuity for passengers and financial prudence for the airline.
Conclusion: Agility as the New Standard
LOT Polish Airlines’ decision to wet-lease an Airbus A320 for its Warsaw-Tel Aviv service is more than a simple fleet adjustment; it’s a clear indicator of a broader industry trend toward greater operational flexibility. The agreement with Electra Airways allows LOT to serve a high-demand, high-yield market while insulating itself from the associated risks of regional instability. By leveraging the ACMI model, the airline can adapt its capacity on short notice, a crucial capability in today’s unpredictable geopolitical landscape.
As we look ahead, this type of strategic partnership is likely to become more common. For airlines navigating the post-pandemic recovery and ongoing global uncertainties, the ability to scale operations up or down without the long-term burden of aircraft ownership is invaluable. LOT’s move serves as a case study in modern airline management, where agility, strategic partnerships, and a keen understanding of market-specific risks are the keys to sustainable success. It demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to maintaining a robust network in an ever-changing world.
FAQ
Question: What is a wet-lease or ACMI agreement?
Answer: A wet-lease, also known as ACMI, is an agreement where one airline (the lessor) provides an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance to another airline (the lessee). It’s a comprehensive leasing package that allows the lessee to quickly add flight capacity without owning the aircraft or directly employing the crew.
Question: Why is LOT Polish Airlines using a Bulgarian airline for this route?
Answer: Electra Airways is an ACMI specialist, meaning its business model is to provide wet-lease services to other airlines. The nationality of the provider is less important than its expertise, aircraft availability, and ability to meet the operational and regulatory requirements for the route. This is a common practice in the global aviation industry.
Question: Does this mean LOT is permanently adding Airbus aircraft to its fleet?
Answer: No, this is a temporary arrangement for the winter 2025/2026 season. LOT’s own narrowbody fleet remains exclusively composed of Boeing aircraft. The Airbus A320 is operated by Electra Airways on behalf of LOT and is not being integrated into LOT’s permanent fleet.
Sources
Airlines Strategy
United Airlines Fleet Seen Flying: 1,060 Aircraft in the AirPro Atlas
AirPro Atlas data shows 1,060 United Airlines aircraft seen flying from October 9 to November 4, 2026, 82% of them Boeing jets.
This is original reporting and analysis by AirPro News.
More United Airlines aircraft were seen flying this autumn than those of any other US airline in the AirPro Atlas. Between October 9 and November 4, 2026, receivers in the ADSB.lol network picked up 1,060 individual aircraft flying with United flight numbers, ahead of American Airlines with 1,002 and Delta Air Lines with 957.
That puts United at number 1 of the 77 US airlines the Atlas follows, ranked by aircraft seen flying. Southwest Airlines (772) and SkyWest Airlines (517) complete the top five.
These figures are not United’s registered fleet or an official count. They are the aircraft that ADS-B receivers saw operating United flights during the period, among the airliner types the Atlas follows. Aircraft leased with their crews count for the airline whose flight numbers they fly, and regions with few receivers are undercounted.
A Boeing airline, built around the 737
Of the 1,060 aircraft, 869 were Boeing jets (82.0%) and 191 were Airbus jets (18.0%). No other manufacturer appears in United’s count.
The Boeing 737 family alone accounts for 592 aircraft, or 55.8% of everything seen flying for the airline. The four largest groups are all 737 variants: the 737 MAX 9 (149 aircraft), the 737-900 (146), the 737-800 (136) and the 737 MAX 8 (122). Another 38 were 737-700s.
United’s Airbus flying comes from the A320 family: 67 A321neos, 64 A319s and 60 A320s, 191 aircraft in all.
Widebodies and the 757
Widebody aircraft made up 220 of the total, or 20.8%. The Boeing 787 led with 86 aircraft (53 787-9s, 21 787-10s and 12 787-8s), followed by the 777 with 83 (61 777-200s and 22 777-300ERs) and the 767 with 51 (35 767-300s and 16 767-400s).
The Boeing 757 is still part of the picture: 57 were seen flying for United, 36 of them 757-200s and 21 the longer 757-300. In all, the Atlas counted 18 different aircraft types under United flight numbers.
Eight hubs, one alliance
Wikidata lists eight United hubs: Denver International Airport (DEN), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) in Hagåtña, Guam. The airline, founded in 1926, flies under the callsign UNITED and is a member of Star Alliance.
AirPro News analysis
The count shows how much of United’s operation rests on a single aircraft family. With 592 of 1,060 aircraft seen flying, the 737 carries more than half of the airline’s activity in the Atlas, and the 737 MAX 9 is the most common type on its own.
The gap at the top of the US market is narrow: United’s 1,060 aircraft against American’s 1,002 and Delta’s 957, so the order could change in a later count as aircraft go in and out of maintenance. Widebodies, at 220 aircraft or 20.8%, are about one in five of the aircraft seen flying for United, and the 787 is the largest widebody group, ahead of the 777.
Explore United’s hubs and fleet on the AirPro Atlas.
Commercial Aviation
Central China Longhao Airlines Launches UK Freighter Route
Central China Longhao Airlines begins twice-weekly Boeing 747-400 freighter service between Zhengzhou and East Midlands Airport.
Central China Longhao Airlines has launched a new twice-weekly Boeing 747-400 freighter service connecting Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) with the UK’s East Midlands Airport (EMA), marking the Chinese state-owned carrier’s first gateway into the United Kingdom.
The inaugural flight touched down on November 2, 2026, according to a press release issued by East Midlands Airport on November 3. The new route expands the UK hub’s international cargo aircraft network and provides Air Central, as the airline is also known, with a strategic foothold to capitalize on the rapidly evolving Chinese air cargo market.
Expanding UK-China freight capacity
The introduction of the Zhengzhou to East Midlands route adds dedicated main-deck capacity between central China and the UK. Operating twice a week, the service utilizes Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft.
East Midlands Airport Commercial Director Adam Andrews noted the significance of the new operator. “We’re really pleased to welcome Central China Longhao as a new airline operating to East Midlands as its gateway into the UK,” Andrews said in the airport’s announcement. He added that the carrier’s decision to launch operations at the hub provides evidence of the airport’s growing reputation within the Chinese air cargo sector.
East Midlands Airport’s cargo growth trajectory
The arrival of Central China Longhao Airlines aligns with a period of sustained cargo growth at East Midlands Airport. In September 2026, the airport recorded a 6.3 percent year-on-year increase in cargo volumes, handling an additional 36,000 tonnes compared to September 2025.
To support this ongoing expansion and manage long-term growth plans, the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) subsidiary is currently recruiting a new Head of Cargo Development. The airport leverages its central UK location and unrestricted 24/7 operational capability to attract international freight operators.
“We are continuing to attract more cargo operators, who understand that our great central location and available capacity helped by a 24/7 operation together make us an unbeatable proposition in the UK,” Andrews stated.
The Zhengzhou cargo hub connection
Central China Longhao Airlines, restructured and established by the Henan Civil Aviation Development & Investment Group in 2019, operates as a state-owned cargo airline based in Henan Province. The carrier plays a central role in developing the Zhengzhou international air cargo hub, operating a fleet that serves destinations throughout Asia-Pacific and Europe.
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport serves as one of China’s primary cargo gateways and the busiest aviation hub in central China. In 2025, the facility handled approximately 1.03 million tonnes of cargo. The new direct link to East Midlands Airport facilitates increased trade flow between this Chinese manufacturing and logistics center and the UK market.
Route Development
TAV Airports Commits 315 Million Euros to Almaty Airport Expansion
TAV Airports signs a 315M euro deal with Kazakhstan for Almaty Airport phase two, bringing total investment to 572M euros.
TAV Airports and the Government of Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of cooperation on May 20, 2026, committing €315 million ($353.9 million) to the second-phase expansion of Almaty International Airport (ALA).
The agreement, announced in a company press release, brings the Turkish airport operator’s total completed and ongoing investments at the Central Asian aviation hub to €572 million ($642.5 million). The funding targets airside enhancements and operational upgrades scheduled for completion in 2027, supporting surging passenger traffic along the Middle Corridor route.
Expanding Central Asia’s busiest gateway
The second-phase investment program covers the 2025 to 2027 period and focuses on airside infrastructure and operational efficiency. Almaty International Airport serves as the primary hub for Kazakhstan flag carrier Air Astana and its low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan. As of late 2025, the facility handled 42 airlines connecting to 86 destinations across 30 countries.
Passenger volumes at the facility have grown rapidly. According to TAV Airports, the hub processed 11.9 million passengers in 2025. Recent data highlighted by TAV Airports CEO Serkan Kaptan during the Organization of Turkic States summit in November 2026 showed the airport handled 9.47 million passengers in the first nine months of 2026, driven by an 11 percent increase in international traffic.
Kaptan noted the strategic importance of the location for both regional connectivity and international freight.
“Almaty continues to grow both in passenger traffic and cargo as one of the key stops on the modern Silk Road extending from Asia-Pacific to Europe and Africa, and on the Middle Corridor, which is also of great importance for our country,” Kaptan said.
Turkish Airlines currently operates approximately 50 weekly flights to Almaty, including dedicated cargo aircraft services, while Pegasus Airlines maintains direct routes between Almaty and Turkish destinations including Istanbul and Antalya.
TAV’s transition from manager to owner
The Almaty expansion represents a distinct operational model for TAV Airports Holding, a member of Groupe ADP. When TAV acquired an 85 percent stake in the airport in April 2021, with the remaining 15 percent held by the Kazakhstan Infrastructure Fund, it marked the first facility in the company’s portfolio that it owns and operates outright rather than managing under a time-limited concession.
The operator inherited a facility serving approximately 6 million passengers annually. The first phase of TAV’s investment program, valued at €257 million ($288.7 million), concluded on June 1, 2024, with the opening of Terminal 2. The new international terminal and accompanying VIP facilities doubled the airport’s annual passenger capacity to over 14 million.
TAV Airports currently operates 15 airports across eight countries, providing integrated services including ground handling, security, and duty-free operations. The company reported serving 113 million passengers across its global portfolio in 2025.
AirPro News analysis
We view TAV’s deepening financial commitment in Kazakhstan as a direct response to shifting global airspace dynamics. With Russian airspace remaining restricted for many international carriers, the Middle Corridor connecting Asia and Europe through Central Asia has gained structural importance. Almaty’s geographic position allows it to capture both increased technical stops for cargo operators and rising point-to-point demand, justifying capital expenditures that exceed half a billion euros over a six-year period.
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