LOT strengthens EU civil protection with rescEU flight capacities

This site is also available on: Deutsch

LOT Polish Airlines: A key player in the EU civil protection program rescEU

LOT Polish Airlines, Poland‘s national airline, has assumed a significant role in the European Civil Protection Program (rescEU). The rescEU program was established to strengthen EU member states’ joint response to major disasters through coordinated and flexible support. LOT Polish Airlines is making a significant contribution to the implementation of this European objective by providing flight capacity—particularly air transport and medical evacuation flights (MedEvac).

rescEU: More than a civil protection program

rescEU is an integral part of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which promotes and coordinates cooperation among EU member states in the event of major disasters. At the heart of rescEU is the provision of strategic reserves that can be activated by the EU as a last resort when individual countries are no longer able to respond adequately to major disasters.

These reserves include field hospitals and medical equipment, as well as specialized aircraft such as those provided by LOT Polish Airlines. The EU Commission coordinates the use of these reserves in close cooperation with national authorities.

LOT Polish Airlines provides three specialized aircraft

Under an official agreement with the Polish government’s Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS), LOT Polish Airlines maintains three aircraft on permanent standby, which can be flexibly activated for missions across Europe.

• Multi-purpose aircraft: Two of these aircraft are designed to transport at least 65 passengers or, alternatively, a cargo capacity of 19 tons. They can therefore efficiently transport both personnel and materials.
• MedEvac aircraft: The third aircraft is specially designed for medical evacuations and can accommodate at least 16 patients in a stretcher or, alternatively, six patients who require intensive medical care during the flight.

All three aircraft have a medium-range capability, allowing them to fly to destinations within Europe and neighboring regions nonstop. This flexibility is essential to ensure the fastest and safest possible air transport in the event of an emergency.

Importance of MedEvac flights for the EU

Medical evacuation flights (MedEvac) are a crucial component of rescEU, especially in the event of health crises or natural disasters where affected persons need to be transported quickly and safely to specialized hospitals.

LOT Polish Airlines’ capabilities allow injured or sick patients requiring intensive care to be cared for in-flight. This not only increases the chances of survival but also relieves pressure on overburdened hospital systems in affected regions.

Coordination and operational management by the EU Commission and national authorities

The activation of rescEU resources, including the flight capacity of LOT Polish Airlines, takes place within the framework of the EU-wide Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). In an emergency, the EU Commission and affected member states coordinate their resources and requirements to ensure optimal support.

The Polish Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS) acts as the central interface for the provision and coordination of LOT aircraft on behalf of the Commission. This cooperation ensures rapid mobilization and targeted deployments even under the most difficult conditions.

Current uniqueness of Poland in the EU

To date, Poland is the only EU member state with its own, permanently ready aviation capacity within the framework of rescEU. This pioneering role not only reflects Poland‘s commitment to EU civil protection, but also underscores the importance of LOT Polish Airlines as a reliable partner in times of crisis.

Outlook and challenges

The integration of aircraft into an EU-wide disaster response network represents a complex logistical and organizational challenge. LOT Polish Airlines is setting standards with its commitment and demonstrating how air transport can play a life-saving role in the event of a disaster.

Furthermore, there is great potential to establish this model in other member states to further increase EU resilience. Expanding MedEvac capacities and coordinated training programs for medical teams during flights are just some of the next steps that can further enhance the effectiveness of rescEU.

Conclusion

By providing three specialized aircraft as part of the rescEU civil protection program, LOT Polish Airlines is providing sustainable support to the EU in dealing with major crises, natural disasters, and health emergencies. Currently unique in the EU, Poland’s airline ensures air transport and medical evacuation capacities that can be deployed quickly, reliably, and efficiently in an emergency. The cooperation between LOT Polish Airlines, the Polish government, and the EU Commission is a promising model for strengthening European civil protection for the future.