Branded operation to start following acquisition of 33.3 per cent stake in Swiss carrier Darwin Airline. Etihad Regional to connect passengers from secondary markets into Etihad Airways’ European network and hubs of equity alliance partners. Etihad Airways announces daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, complementing current daily service to Geneva

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, today announced a ‘step-change in global aviation,’ with the launch of its first branded regional operation, after taking a 33.3 per cent stake in Swiss carrier Darwin Airline.

Following completion of the minority investment, which is subject to regulatory approval, Darwin Airline will rebrand its operations as Etihad Regional and align its network to connect passengers from secondary European markets onto the main networks of Etihad Airways and its equity alliance partners.

Etihad Airways will also launch daily services on 01Jun14 from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, which will become one of Darwin Airline’s main operating hubs.

Darwin Airline is headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, with its major hub in Geneva.It currently offers scheduled flights to21 destinations in Europeusing a fleet of 10 50-seat Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft.

Subject to regulatory approvals, Etihad Airways will invest in Darwin Airline through the acquisition of 33.3 per cent of an enlarged share capital. Darwin Airline, which will continue to focus on secondary markets, will become the seventh member of the Etihad Airways equity airline alliance, the fourth partner in Europe, and the first to operate using a new sub-brand called ‘Etihad Regional’.

The investmentwill give Etihad Airways access to regional markets in Europe, and enable a major expansion of Darwin Airline’s operations.

The new ‘Etihad Regional’ logo will be displayed prominently on each side of the fuselage of the Darwin Airline aircraft, while the rear of the plane will carry the words “Operated by Darwin Airline”, and the Darwin Airline’s present logo, as well as continuing to proudly display the Swiss flag. All flights will continue to be operated under the Darwin Airline designator code.

By mid-2014, Darwin Airline will add 21 new routes and 18new destinations. Its network will then includesixEuropean gateways served by Etihad Airways – Geneva, Amsterdam, Paris, Düsseldorf, Belgradeand, commencing in June, Zurich.

Darwin Airline will be able to connect to the network of airberlin, Etihad Airways’ equity partner, through new and existing routes to Berlin, Düsseldorf and Zurich.  Berlin and Düsseldorf provide excellent connections to the US with airberlin. 

Darwin Airline will also be able to connect to the network of Air Serbia, through its hub at Belgrade.

Subject to regulatory approval, Etihad Airways, airberlin and Air Serbia will codeshare on Darwin Airline routes, while Darwin Airline will codeshare on Etihad Airways, airberlin and Air Serbia flights from a range of European gateways.  This will provide deeper access to Europe for the three larger carriers and significant new international connectivity and feeder traffic for Darwin Airline.

Darwin Airline’s expanded network, to be implemented in stages from Apr14,will provide significant new opportunities for travellers to fly between major regional centres in Europe and the global network of Etihad Airways, via its hub in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE.

In Apr14, Darwin Airline will launch nine new routes, from Dusseldorf to Berlin, Cambridge and London City; from Berlin to Poznan and Wroclaw; from Geneva to Toulouse; from Zurich to Leipzig; and from Rome to Tirana and Zagreb. 

In May14, it will start flights from from Zurich to Geneva, Florence and Turin; and from Geneva to Belgrade.

In Jun14, it will launch flights from Zurich to Linz, Graz, Verona and Lyon; and from Geneva to Bordeaux, Marseille, Nantes and Verona.

In addition to network and efficiency benefits, Darwin Airline will adopt the Etihad Guest loyalty program.

Etihad Airways’ minority shareholdings include 29 per cent of airberlin, 40 per cent of Air Seychelles, 19.9 per cent of Virgin Australia and 3 per cent of Aer Lingus. Etihad Airways has also received regulatory approval to acquire 24 per cent of India’s Jet Airways, and from January 2014, will acquire 49 per cent of Air Serbia.

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