The flag carrier is to increase its fleet of the next-generation narrowbody type this month.

LOT Polish Airlines is scheduled to receive six Boeing 737 MAX 8 examples on long-term lease placements from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). All six airframes are planned to be handed over to the carrier this month (October 2022).

These will boost the Warsaw-based airline’s existing contingent of MAX 8 jets with five examples already on lease from ALC; separately, the lessor also has a single 787-9 Dreamliner, SP-LSC (c/n 39293) – adorned in a ‘Proud of Poland’s Independence’ special livery – placed with LOT too.

Steven F Udvar-Házy, executive chairman of Air Lease Corporation, said: “We are honoured and pleased to expand our long relationship with LOT by leasing the airline six [737 MAX 8s], in addition to the six airplanes currently on lease, doubling the size of the ALC-owned portfolio to 12 [at the Polish flag carrier]. ALC has played an important role in the recent fleet modernisation programme of LOT since late 2017 and these six additional aircraft will support LOT’s network and development strategy.”

LOT received its maiden MAX, SP-LVA (c/n 64067), in December 2017 – at the time, becoming the first in Central/Eastern Europe to operate the type.