El Al Airlines in LIM Center: Interview with Andrzej Jackowiak - El Al General Manager for Poland

How long has El Al been operating at LIM Center?

Practically from the very beginning of our business in Poland. The first flight of our airline's aircraft to Warsaw took place on March 28, 1989, and just three months later, on June 30, we signed an office rental contract at LIM. We have just reached the 33rd anniversary. The office has been located in the same place for all this time.

What is the role of the Warsaw branch in the structure of El Al airlines?

We are responsible for the full representation and service of the El Al line within the territory of Poland, which makes us a national facility. The core activity of our business, both in the past and now, is constant cooperation with travel agencies and travel agents and tour operators from the Polish market.

How important is the Polish market in El Al's global operations?

The top destinations within the EL AL route network are by far the routes to/from the US and Western Europe, mainly Paris, London, Amsterdam or Zurich. Poland can be classified as a "medium-priority" market, with routes to/from Poland having varied levels of popularity and intensity.

Does the Warsaw office provide ongoing customer service for the airline and to what extent? Is it possible to buy tickets on the spot?

Yes, absolutely. Customers have access to our office, where they can complete all the formalities of booking and purchasing a ticket for our flights across our entire route network. They can also rebook or exchange tickets in accordance with the terms of the applied fare.?

What made El Al open an office precisely in our complex?

El Al airlines focuses heavily on the fact that offices located outside Israel meet the highest standards in terms of employee and passenger comfort, prestige and security. In 1989, LIM Center was one of the very few locations meeting these requirements.

What is your perception of the working conditions at LIM Center?

There is no reason to complain, and certainly not about the location. The LIM offers complementary amenities - apart from meeting the standards I mentioned above. Having a world brand hotel within the same complex greatly facilitates business when representatives of our headquarters arrive.

Have the El Al lines already returned to the pre-pandemic condition?

Unfortunately, the crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic, which very seriously affected virtually all air carriers, is not over for us yet. The consequences of this situation are still affecting us in a significant way, for instance, due to shortages of personnel and crews. During the pandemic, when traffic and operations of carriers almost vanished, there were, unfortunately, significant staff reductions. Not everyone has returned, and it takes a long time to train new people.

El Al Lines has survived this difficult time and, at this point, flights are carried out on a regular basis.

Thank you very much for the interview.