Etihad Airways' 33.3% investment in Darwin Airline approved by Switzerland's aviation regulator

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, welcomed the decision of Switzerland’s Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) to approve the airline’s 33.3% investment in the Swiss regional carrier Darwin Airline. Since January, 2014, Lugano-based Darwin Airline has operated as Etihad Regional under a brand and partnership agreement with Etihad Airways. FOCA’s approval of the Etihad Airways investment now enables the two companies to leverage fully the benefits of their partnership, including codesharing on each other’s flights within and beyond Europe. James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the investment was in line with the growing trend of consolidation in the airline industry, to ensure the continuation of viable, reliable and stable air services, and to maximise flight connectivity.