Etihad digs deeper in Europe

by CHIEF CORRESPONDENT, TOM BALLANTYNE  

December 1st 2013

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Ambitious Etihad Airways has acquired 33.3% of Switzerland’s Darwin Airline, as it pursues its goal of establishing Etihad Regional in Europe. Read More »

The deal will allow the Abu-Dhabi parent carrier to display Etihad Regional upfront on both sides of the fuselage of the 10 50-seat Saabs operated by the Lugano-headquartered airline. The rear of each of the airline’s planes will carry the words “Operated by Darwin Airline” plus the Swiss flag and Darwin Air and Etihad branding. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. Shelley Cole, who until November was on secondment from Etihad as the CFO of Air Seychelles, has taken up the same role at Darwin Airline.

Etihad said it would utilize Darwin Airline’s 21 destinations, operating from its Geneva hub, to connect to the main networks of Etihad and its equity alliance partners, Virgin Australia, India’s Jet Airways, airberlin in Germany, Air Seychelles, Ireland’s Aer Lingus and rebranded Air Serbia in Eastern Europe.

From next June, Etihad will launch daily services from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, which will become one of the regional airline’s main operating hubs.

“This is a step-change for Etihad Airways,” said Etihad CEO, James Hogan. “With our new partner, we are creating a unique approach to network development for global airlines.

“European travellers will be able to connect from a far wider range of European towns and cities on Etihad-branded aircraft to Abu Dhabi and to our destinations worldwide.” Hogan added the new strategy could be extended to other markets.

By mid-2014, Darwin Airline will add 18 destinations to its network, including six European gateways served by Etihad: Geneva, Amsterdam, Paris, Düsseldorf, Belgrade and Zurich.