Poland’s national carrier, LOT Polish Airlines, is reportedly preparing a bid to acquire Smartwings, the Czech Republic’s largest airline, according to Hospodářské noviny.

The publication said LOT, Eurowings (Germany), and SunExpress (Turkey) are the final contenders for a potential takeover.

Smartwings’ billionaire owner, Jiří Šimán, is exploring a partial or full sale amid the ongoing recovery of the aviation sector.

Šimán, 75, previously bought out a 49.9% stake held by Chinese investors, a stake that had long complicated efforts to sell the airline. While he may look for a strategic partner, local analysts believe he does not intend to leave the aviation industry entirely.

“Šimán has always made it clear that aviation is a long-term investment for him and that he wishes to remain involved,” the paper wrote.

Smartwings, known for both scheduled and charter flights, is the Czech Republic’s leading airline and a key player in the Central European leisure travel market.

For LOT, the acquisition would mark its first major expansion since its aborted 2020 bid for Germany’s Condor Airlines, which was scrapped due to the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.

LOT’s main shareholder is Poland’s State Treasury, with a minority stake held by Polska Grupa Lotnicza.

If the deal goes through, it could significantly strengthen LOT’s position in Central Europe, particularly in the tourism and short-haul leisure sectors where Smartwings has a strong presence.

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