Prague Airport marks 80 years of LOT flights

LOT Polish Airlines has celebrated eight decades of operations between Warsaw and Prague. The Polish flag carrier launched the route on 7 August 1946, making the Czech capital one of the first international destinations restored to its network following the Second World War.

Early services were primarily operated by Douglas DC-3 aircraft, which accommodated only 20 passengers and cruised at around 300 kilometres per hour. Tickets were handwritten, reservations and check-in were handled manually, while passengers boarded directly from the apron.

The route has since developed into an important feeder service for LOT’s European and long-haul network through Warsaw.

The milestone was marked at Prague Airport with a ceremony attended by representatives of LOT, the airport and the Polish Embassy.

An arriving flight from Warsaw was welcomed with a water cannon salute, while the event concluded with the cutting of an anniversary cake.

LOT is currently the sole airline linking Prague with Warsaw Chopin Airport, operating up to 33-weekly flights, or as many as five per day, primarily with Embraer aircraft.