Etihad Airways will start its own regional branded operation following a deal with Swiss carrier Darwin Airline.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is purchasing a 33.3 per cent shareholding in Darwin which will be rebranded at Etihad Regional.
As part of the deal, Darwin will amend its current schedule to “connect passengers from secondary European markets onto the main networks of Etihad Airways and its equity alliance partners”.
Darwin began operating services from Cambridge airport to four European cities in September.
As part of expansion plans, flights from Cambridge to Dusseldorf will be added in April 2014 when the airline will also begin services from London City to Dusseldorf.
Darwin’s plan is to add 21 routes and 18 new destinations in Europe by summer 2014 including six airports served by Etihad: Geneva, Amsterdam, Paris, Düsseldorf, Belgrade and Zurich, where flights to Abu Dhabi are due to start in June 2014.
James Hogan, Etihad’s CEO, said: “This is a step-change for Etihad Airways. With our new partner Darwin Airline, we are creating a unique approach to network development for global airlines.
“European travellers will now be able to connect from a far, far wider range of European towns and cities on Etihad-branded aircraft, through Abu Dhabi to our destinations worldwide.
“We are also linking the new Etihad Regional network into the key hubs of our equity alliance partners, bringing benefits to the customers of Air Berlin and Air Serbia.”