Etihad Regional-Etihad Airways Codeshare Extended Until 2022

Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline, today announced that its codeshare agreement extension with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has been approved by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) until 30 April 2022.

Initially commenced on 29 March 2015, the codeshare agreement offers the guests of both airlines greater access between Switzerland and Abu Dhabi, and onwards to popular destinations on the networks of Etihad Airways and its equity partner airlines.

As part of the agreement, Etihad Regional places its ‘F7’ flight code on Etihad Airways’ operated daily flights from Zurich and Geneva to Abu Dhabi. In turn, Etihad Airways places its ‘EY’ flight code on Etihad Regional’s operated flights between Geneva and Lugano, Zurich and Venice.

In conjunction with its global network partners Air Seychelles, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways provides onward connectivity through Abu Dhabi to over 40 destinations in the Gulf region, Indian Subcontinent, Africa, Asia and Australia. The Zurich and Geneva services also provide seamless onward connections to numerous points across Europe on the networks of airberlin, Alitalia, Air Serbia, Etihad Regional and Niki.

Etihad Airways operates a three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Abu Dhabi-Zurich route and a three-class Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the Abu Dhabi-Geneva route.

Maurizio Merlo, Etihad Regional’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted that the codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways has been approved and extended until 2022. This significant development is great for our business continuity as we continue to offer greater access from Switzerland to the Middle East and beyond. At the same time, it guarantees extended opportunities to boost local tourism in Ticino, Switzerland, through the Abu Dhabi- Lugano flight, via Geneva.”

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are pleased with FOCA’s decision to extend our codeshare with Etihad Regional, which offers our combined guests enhanced connectivity in and out of Switzerland, and to key global destinations via Etihad Airways’ extensive network.”