Etihad launches new European carrier
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Etihad Airways has officially launched its new European airline, Etihad Regional.
The move comes just two months after the Abu Dhabi-based carrier announced plans to acquire a 33.3% stake in Switzerland’s Darwin Airline, which it has now rebranded.
Based at Lugano, near Geneva, the airline will initially serve a network of 15 European destinations using a fleet of 10 50-seat Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft. But by mid-2014, Etihad Regional plans to expand to 34 destinations, including several major European airports served by Etihad Airways and its partner, airberlin. To further align the airlines’ networks, Etihad Airways will place its ‘EY’ code in 16 routes operated by Etihad Regional.
Major European cities to be served by Etihad Regional will include Amsterdam, Paris, London, Berlin, Rome, Belgrade, Zurich and Bordeaux.
The first Etihad Regional-branded aircraft was unveiled in Zurich this week. By the end of 2014, all 10 of the airline’s fleet will feature the new livery.
“Etihad Regional is good news for travellers and for Europe’s regional economies. We have a clear strategy and firm commitment to build a strong regional airline linking European cities and towns and provincial centres, which also connect to the broader global network of Etihad Airways,” said Maurizio Merlo, CEO of Darwin Airline.
“What makes Etihad Regional unique is the way Etihad Airways and its equity alliance partners, in particular airberlin and Air Serbia, can also feed passengers into the regional network.
“We expect that as Etihad Regional expands, it will be able to offer more direct employment locally, and further indirect employment opportunities in connecting regional markets,” he added.
Once the acquisition of Darwin is complete, it will become Etihad’s fourth European equity partner, following airberlin, Aer Lingus and Air Serbia, which it also rebranded last year.
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