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Etihad Airways gets Swiss regulator's nod for 33.3 pct stake in Darwin Airline

Xinhua, April 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Etihad Airways said on Thursday that Switzerland's federal office of civil aviation (FOCA) has approved the purchase of the airline's 33.3 percent stake in Swiss regional carrier Darwin Airline.

Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates' national airline, is amassing stakes in airlines to both increase traffic through its Abu Dhabi hub and expand its route network.

Since January 2014, Lugano-based Darwin Airline has operated as Etihad Regional under a brand and partnership agreement with Etihad Airways, said the carrier in an e-mailed statement.

"FOCA's approval of the Etihad Airways investment now enables the two companies to fully benefit from their partnership, including codesharing on each other's flights within and beyond Europe," it added.

James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad (Arabic for unity), said the investment is "to ensure continued viable, reliable and stable air service, and to enhance flight connectivity."

With the approval of the investment both airlines will work together closely for the welfare of passengers in Switzerland, across Europe and beyond, added Hogan.

Nevertheless, the Australian national expressed disappointment that opportunities for Etihad Airways and Etihad Regional diminished or were lost due to the long regulatory review process, "which prevented introduction of important codeshare services designed to link and strengthen the networks of the two airlines."

Owing to the time taken to approve this partnership, "Etihad Regional was forced to reduce or withdraw services on a number of routes, which were launched in anticipation of support from traffic flowing between the Etihad Airways global network and the Etihad Regional network in Europe," Hogan said.

"Once formalities to activate the investment are over, Etihad Regional will have greater connectivity, not only with Etihad Airways but also with its other partners in Europe, including Alitalia, airberlin and Air Serbia."

Etihad, founded in 2003, was the first airliner to fly directly to Switzerland's western metropolis of Geneva in 2004. Endit