LOT Polish Airlines ends Budapest-Seoul flights, with the final flight departing on March 26, 2025. This termination marks the end of LOT’s long-haul operations from Hungary, a strategic initiative that began in 2019.
Inception and Operations
The Budapest-Seoul service was inaugurated on September 22, 2019, utilizing Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Initially, the route operated three times weekly, aiming to capitalize on the growing travel demand between Hungary and South Korea. This venture was part of LOT’s broader strategy to establish Budapest as a secondary hub, complementing its primary operations in Warsaw.
Challenges and Suspension
Despite the initial optimism, the route faced challenges, including fluctuating passenger demand and increased competition. Notably, Korean Air commenced its own Budapest-Seoul flights in late 2022, intensifying market competition. These factors, among others, led LOT to announce the suspension of the Budapest-Seoul service, with the last flight scheduled for March 26, 2025.
Future Prospects
While LOT has described the suspension as temporary, the airline has removed the route from future schedules, casting uncertainty over its reinstatement. In the interim, Korean Air has increased its presence on the Budapest-Seoul route, offering multiple weekly flights and ensuring continued connectivity between the two capitals.
The cessation of LOT’s Budapest-Seoul route underscores the dynamic nature of international air travel and the challenges airlines face in sustaining long-haul operations amid competitive and demand-driven pressures.
