Poland’s Outbound Market in 2026: A Golden Opportunity for Asian & Middle Eastern Operators ✈️ The Polish aviation sector is set for a massive expansion in 2026, creating new corridors for tourism growth. With LOT Polish Airlines reinstating direct flights to Bangkok and low-cost carriers like Wizz Air and Ryanair aggressively expanding their connectivity to the Middle East from regional Polish airports, the barrier to entry for Polish tourists is lowering significantly. In this article: We analyze the 2026 flight network and explain why Polish travelers are shifting from standard packages to "investment in authenticity." Find out how tour operators in Thailand, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Uzbekistan can tailor their products to capture this high-potential, evolving market.

The coming months promise to be incredibly dynamic for the aviation market in Poland. Carriers are announcing entirely new directions from Polish airports, which are becoming increasingly significant nodes in the European and global network.

The shape of the flight network for 2026 confirms a fundamental shift: Poles are no longer just buying a "ticket"—they are investing in development and authenticity. As noted by experts from eSky Group, the visible increase in flight frequency on established routes and the introduction of new directions signal that the regional market is entering the next level.

Based on confirmed news (LOT, Wizz Air, Ryanair expansions) and broader travel trends, here is an analysis of potential travel destinations for 2026, focusing exclusively on Asia and the Middle East.

According to the latest announcements, LOT Polish Airlines is launching a direct connection: Warsaw – Bangkok. This is the most important news for Asia lovers in 2026.

• Why it’s worth it: A direct flight (approx. 10-11h) eliminates exhausting layovers in the Persian Gulf or Western Europe.
• The "Authenticity" Trend: Instead of stopping only in Bangkok or Phuket, treat the capital as a gateway to lesser-known regions, such as Chiang Rai (north) or the islands in the Trat province. Poles are looking for deeper experiences, so culinary workshops in Isan or jungle trekking away from resorts are becoming increasingly popular.

• Third-Party Intermediation: The "Indonesian method" mentioned in earlier contexts is rare. In practice, the financial hubs for sanctioned countries are most often Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), and Armenia. Banks in these countries mediate transfers, though they charge high commissions, raising the cost of trips by 15–20%.
  

The expansion of Wizz Air in Poland mentioned in recent reports isn't just about flights to Europe. The Hungarian carrier is intensively developing its network to the Middle East (often with a layover in Budapest or directly from major hubs in the region), making this destination budget-friendly.

• Destinations: Riyadh, Jeddah, and soon futuristic projects like NEOM.

• The Trend: Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world under "Vision 2030." This is a destination for those who have "already been everywhere." AlUla (an ancient city in the desert) is an absolute hit for those seeking history and luxury in a raw climate.
  

Since Wizz Air is growing in Gdańsk, Wrocław, and Katowice, access to the hub in Abu Dhabi is becoming easier.

• Destinations: Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah.
• The Trend: We are moving away from "shopping in Dubai" in favor of nature and adventure. Ras Al Khaimah promotes itself as the capital of adventure (home to the world's longest zipline and the Jebel Jais mountains). This is the perfect answer to the need for "investing in experiences."

Although not explicitly mentioned in the initial news brief, Vietnam is a natural complement to the Asian offer, often accessible thanks to codeshare agreements by carriers like LOT (via Asian hubs) or charter flights, which will break popularity records in 2026.

• Why it’s worth it: It is cheaper and "rawer" than Thailand.
• The Trend: Slow Travel. Poles are increasingly choosing month-long stays, combining remote work with sightseeing (workation). Northern Vietnam (Ha Giang Loop) is the quintessence of authenticity.

This is the "dark horse" for 2026. The growing interest in flights from regional airports and the search for new, non-obvious directions turns our gaze toward the Silk Road.

• Destinations: Samarkand, Tashkent, Almaty.
• The Trend: Cultural and mountain tourism without the crowds. Uzbekistan has waived visas for Poles, which, combined with a growing flight network (e.g., LOT to Tashkent launched in 2024 and likely to be developed in 2026), makes it a hit for those looking for exoticism that is safe and hospitable.

Summary: How to Plan a Trip in 2026?

Based on the news and trends, the market in 2026 will promote the smart combination of carriers:

Conclusion:

The year 2026 in Asia and the Middle East is the time for conscious travelers. The key is no longer just the price ("cheap ticket"), but the quality of the connection (direct LOT to Bangkok) and the uniqueness of the place (Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan).