Autor: Reuben F. Johnson

In a surprise decision, LOT Polish Airlines have shunned their long-time supplier, Brazil’s Embraer, and have instead signed a massive order for the Airbus A220 to fill the company’s regional jet fleet requirement.  The airline had been in a long-term customer of the Brazilian firm, which has enjoyed considerable success with the E-Jet series.

LOT operates 40 of the 1st-generation E-Jet models and had recently placed an order for a smaller number of the second generation E2-195 models.  Embraer had been anticipating a follow-on order for these same models, but the deal has gone to Airbus instead.  The contract that was announced here at Le Bourget includes an initial order for 40 aircraft. plus options for 44 additional aircraft.   Deliveries are set to begin in 2027.

LOT’s decision to switch to the European supplier Airbus precipitated an official response from the Brazilian aerospace corporation expressing their displeasure at being left in the lurch.  “Such announcements by the losing bidder in these situations are rare,” said more than one of the commercial aerospace experts here at Le Bourget.  “Particularly one which is as pointed as this one.”

Embraer’s statement maintained the position that the E2 series is “the best aircraft” for LOT’s operational requirements.  The Brazilian company also commented, “We understand we are in an exceptional moment where geopolitics plays a significant role.”

The latter point has been interpreted by some as Embraer seeing political factors having overridden the technical and financial aspects of their offer that were in the Brazilian firm’s favour.  One possible overriding issue is that Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula DaSilva, has thus far refused to actively support Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The center-left president and former Brasil Worker’s Party leader has been criticised for not only refusing to denounce Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of his neighbour, but also for physically extending a warm embrace to the former KGB Lt. Col. at one of the previous BRICs summits.

“Here is Lula who has always championed ‘Brazilian values’ of anti-imperialism and adherence to democratic practices giving a bear hug to the most imperialist and anti-democratic leader of the current day,” said one international relations commentator here at Le Bourget.

Lula also did not make any points in Polish circles when in February 2025 he emphasized his decision to not offer any military assistance to Ukraine. “I will not sell weapons to kill Russians,” he declared at a summit celebrating 200 years of relations between Brazil and Potugal.

“This has not gone down well with Poland, which feels seriously threatened by Russia’s aggression,” explained the same commentator.

Author: Reuben F. Johnson