Switzerland’s Federal Office of Civil Aviation has approved Etihad
Airways’ acquisition of a 33.3% stake in Swiss regional carrier Darwin Airline.
Etihad announced the deal in November 2013.
Since then, Darwin has operated as Etihad Regional under a brand and
partnership agreement with Etihad.
Switzerland’s approval of the investment now enables the two
companies to leverage fully the benefits of their partnership, including codesharing
on flights within and beyond Europe, Etihad said.
James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad Airways, lamented
the long time it took for Switzerland to approve the acquisition.
“Because of the time taken to approve this partnership, and
intense competition during this period, Etihad Regional has been forced to
reduce or withdraw services on a number of routes, which were launched on the
expectation that they would be supported by traffic flowing between the Etihad
Airways global network and the Etihad Regional network in Europe,” Hogan said
in a statement. “Once formalities are completed to activate the investment,
Etihad Regional will have much greater connectivity, not only with Etihad
Airways but also with its other partners in Europe, including Alitalia, Airberlin
and Air Serbia.”
Abu Dhabi-owned Etihad, the national airline of the United
Arab Emirates, owns stakes in Darwin (33%), Alitalia (49%), Airberlin (29%),
Air Serbia (49%), Air Seychelles (40%), Virgin Australia (10%) and Aer Lingus
(3%).