ETIHAD REGIONAL STRENGTHENS NETWORK OUT OF ZURICH

Etihad Regional today announced that it will introduce five new routes expanding the airline’s operations out of Zurich to eight destinations. 

Photo Caption: (Left-to-right) Maurizio Merlo, Etihad Regional Chief Executive Officer; Emilio Martinenghi, Etihad Regional Chairman; and Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Regional Vice Chairman designate, at the Etihad Regional media conference in Zurich.

Building on its network expansion strategy, Etihad Regional will commence daily services from Zurich to Linz (Austria), Lyon (France) and Verona (Italy). From Zurich, the airline will also operate to Düsseldorf (Germany) two times per week, and to Florence (Italy) four times per week.

Etihad Regional already flies daily from Zurich to Geneva and Leipzig-Halle, and recently launched three flights per week between Zurich and Turin.

The addition of the five new routes will bring Etihad Regional’s total network to 25 year-round destinations in Europe.

The airline will deploy its ATR 72-500 and Saab 2000 fleet on the new routes. The ATR aircraft offers 68 seats in Economy Class, whilst the Saab aircraft offers a total of 50 seats in a two-class configuration, with four Premium Economy seats and 46 Economy Class seats.

Etihad Regional operates eight Saab 2000 aircraft and by June will add four ATR 72-500 to its fleet.

Maurizio Merlo, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Regional, said: “We are excited to add these new routes to our network, which will further strengthen the trade and tourism links in the region and reinforce our position as a leading regional airline.

“The new services will provide additional choice for business and leisure travellers flying to and from Zurich. Beyond Zurich, our guests will be able to connect easily on Etihad Airways’ upcoming daily Zurich-Abu Dhabi service, commencing from 1 June.”

To support the expansion, Etihad Regional is hiring new staff members, including 16 captains, 16 first-officers, 40 cabin crew members and 30 ground employees, bringing the airline’s total employee count to 320.

Peter Baumgartner, Vice Chairman designate of Etihad Regional, said: “We are delighted to see the collaboration with Etihad Airways is strengthening Etihad Regional’s business, opening new commercial opportunities, as well as standardising its product and service.”

Flights beyond Abu Dhabi, offered by Etihad Airways and its equity partners, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia connect well with destinations in the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Asia and Australia.

Launch schedule of Etihad Regional routes from Zurich

About Etihad Regional, Operated by Darwin Airline

Etihad Regional is the new European brand operated by Swiss-based regional carrier, Darwin Airline, founded in 2003. It serves a range of key secondary markets in Europe and offers connections to long-haul and international destinations across Europe, Australia, Asia, Middle East, Africa and the Americas through its future 33.3 per cent shareholding equity and codeshare partner, Etihad Airways. The airline currently operates two-class flights with a fleet of eight 50-seat Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft to a network stretching from southern Italy to the UK. The airline’s major hub is the Swiss city of Geneva. For more information, please visit www.etihadregional.com