New ownership for Switzerland’s Darwin Airline

Darwin Airline SA, the Swiss airline that operates under the name “Etihad Regional” in various European countries, announced a change in ownership. The existing shareholders, including Darwin’s strategic partner Etihad, have agreed to sell their shares to a new Swiss subsidiary of Adria Airways. The Slovenian carrier is the leading regional airline in Southeastern Europe and a member of Star Alliance. Under the terms of the new agreement between Darwin’s current shareholders and 4K Invest of Luxembourg, the owners of Adria Airways, the airline will continue to operate under its current legal name Darwin Airline SA with its own air operator’s certificate (AOC), but will change its marketing brand from Etihad Regional to Adria Airways Switzerland. Lugano in Southern Switzerland will remain the company’s headquarters, with Geneva as its second base. Adria Airways will take over some of Darwin’s administrative and operational tasks and will market the Swiss airline’s services. CEO Maurizio Merlo has decided to step down and take on a new challenge. He is replaced by Heinrich Ollendiek, who until now acted as Adria Airways’ Chief Financial Officer.