The scale of the actions

Minister Jacek Czaputowicz stressed that #LOTdoDomu was one of the biggest operations in the history of Polish diplomatic and consular services. “Its efficient accomplishment would not have been possible without our consuls’ enormous commitment and ceaseless work over the last weeks. They deserve the highest praise and special thanks for their hard work and extraordinary effort,” added the minister.

The scope of actions undertaken in such a short period of time is unprecedented. People were flown back home from 71 places in the world. Polish diplomatic missions assisted Poles in returning from the most remote destinations in the world, from Peru, Chad and Goa to Japan. Under the #LOTdoDomu programme, apart from Polish nationals, we have also aided the return of over 2,000 citizens of other countries.

 “As part of the #LOTdoDomu programme, our airplanes were sent to places where Poles needed assistance in returning to their families. This is the national air carrier’s mission and obligation. The success would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our crews as well as office workers carrying out and coordinating the #LOTdoDomu operation,” said Polish Airlines LOT CEO Rafał Milczarski.

Apart from PLL LOT, other national carriers were also involved in the initiative to return Polish citizens home: the rail transport carrier – PKP Intercity and the coach operator – Polonus. They created a convenient system for passengers to change from plane to train or bus.

“Thanks to the hard work and enormous commitment of all the workers carrying out their duties at the airport, on trains and buses, the #LOTdoDomu programme has proved to be a success,” said Minister of Infrastructure Andrzej Adamczyk.

Under the #LOTdoDomu operation, Polonus brought home over 10,000 passengers on 654 special coach runs, while 3,171 passengers took advantage of all PKP Intercity dedicated services.

“As a company owned by the State Treasury, we understand that our primary task is to provide services for the public. Our railwaymen are on duty every day and thanks to their efforts we enabled thousands of Poles to return home,” stressed PKP Intercity CEO Marek Chraniuk.

“10,554 Polish citizens safely reached their homes aboard 50 white-and-red buses of the national coach operator Polonus. I would like to thank all our employees who were involved in this complex operation,” added Polonus CEO Maciej Acedański.

Assistance provided by Polish consular offices

Polish consular offices have been continuously offering support to Polish citizens who are facing a particularly difficult situation. Consuls take necessary steps to assist Poles who want to go back home, e.g. by helping them to find available flight connections to Europe. Without the commitment of diplomatic and consular services, some #LOTdoDomu flights would not have taken place.

Currently the diplomatic and consular services are continuing their efforts to assist Poles who were unable to take advantage of the PLL LOT special flights. The MFA hotline is still available for Poles who are stranded abroad and face problems returning home due to the state of epidemic that was introduced in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo, video / MFA