Airliners-India

747-237

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/TTN_246505.html

Etihad launches regional operation in Europe

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, 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 June 1, 2014 from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, which will become one of Darwin Airline’s main operating hubs.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive officer, said: “This is a step-change for Etihad Airways. With our new partner Darwin Airline, we are creating a unique approach to network development for global airlines.

“European travellers will now be able to connect from a far, far wider range of European towns and cities on Etihad-branded aircraft, through Abu Dhabi to our destinations worldwide.

“We are also linking the new Etihad Regional network into the key hubs of our equity alliance partners, bringing benefits to the customers of airberlin and Air Serbia.

“This is not just a great new offer for European travellers. It is also great news for Darwin Airline, which will see increased investment, greater sales and marketing opportunities, and the chance to benefit from Etihad Airways’ global network.”

Hogan said the new approach could be extended to other markets over time.

“This new model is one that can bring the Etihad badge of quality to air travellers around the world,” he said. “In just a decade, we have established the Etihad brand as one of the most recognised and most highly regarded in aviation. This model offers a new direction for that brand in future.”

Darwin Airline is headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, with its major hub in Geneva. It currently offers scheduled flights to 21 destinations in Europe using a fleet of ten 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 investment will give Etihad Airways access to regional markets in Europe, and enable a major expansion of Darwin Airline’s operations, said a statement.

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 18 new destinations. Its network will then include six European gateways served by Etihad Airways – Geneva, Amsterdam, Paris, Düsseldorf, Belgrade and, 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.

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

NOTE: This topic should really be in the international section, but given the level of interest in India about Etihad (not to mention others posting just about every topic under the sun in this section), the above is intentionally posted here.

The_Goat · Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:45 pm Post subject:

It is in keeping with EY's strategy of growing across geographies by buying stakes in local operators everywhere. Although I'm surprised at their choice of Darwin Air.

I guess it won't be long before EY buys into a North American carrier.
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Nimish · Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:30 am Post subject:

I wonder why they are investing in a tiny regional carrier? Surely they can't expect the carrier to suddenly lead to becoming a feeder for their 1-2 daily flights to Europe? I would have expected a more "dramatic" entry into Europe - not through a regional carrier...
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747-237 · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 5:02 am Post subject:

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Spiderguy252 · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 12:11 pm Post subject:

This is a rather more subtle means of forging ahead with their plan of world domination, when compared to their Emirati neighbour to the East.
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Yeah.

jasepl · Member Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: bund-bay

When can we expect to see an Etihad Regional (India) livery?
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Spiderguy252 · Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:06 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 4:01 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 7:01 am Post subject:

Accident: Darwin SB20 at Paris on Jan 28th 2014, nose wheels separated on landing

A Darwin Airlines Saab 2000 on behalf of Etihad Regional, registration HB-IZG performing flight F7-250 from Leipzig (Germany) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) with 16 passengers and 3 crew, landed in Paris at about 07:40L (06:40Z) without indications of problems, however, after touchdown both nose wheels separated from the nose gear strut causing the strut to collapse and the nose of the aircraft to contact the runway. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway, there were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The flight was the inaugural flight for Etihad Regional.

The airline reported both nose wheels separated from the nose gear. All occupants of the aircraft left the aircraft safely and were bussed to the terminal.

Aseem · Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 2841 Location: YYZ

the thread has been moved to International
thanks for understanding

VT-ASJ
on behalf of moderation team
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747-237 · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:38 pm Post subject:

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/57970-etihad-exits-darwin-airline-as-adria-airways-assumes-control

Etihad exits Darwin Airline as Adria Airways assumes control

Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi Int'l) has disposed of its 33.3% stake in Swiss operator Darwin Airline (F7, Lugano) following a mass buy-out by Slovenia's Adria Airways (JP, Ljubljana).

According to an airline statement, Adria Airways, through its Swiss subsidiary, has acquired a 99.1% in Darwin Airline SA. The remaining interest will be acquired in the short term.

Under the terms of the new agreement between Darwin and the current shareholders of 4K Invest Luxembourg, the current owners of Adria Airways, Darwin will continue to operate under its legal name, "Darwin Airline SA", and its air operator's certificate (AOC). It will maintain its headquarters in Lugano with Geneva as its secondary base. The commercial brand will, however, change from Etihad Regional to Adria Airways Switzerland.

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747-237 · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2017 4:43 pm Post subject:

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