Airlines Etihad Airways sales Darwin Airline shares

According to an airline statement, Slovenian carrier Adria Airways, through its Swiss subsidiary, has acquired a 99.1% in Darwin Airline. The remaining interest will be acquired in the short term. The airline will be rebranded from Etihad Regional to Adria Airways Switzerland. Adria Airways Chief Financial Officer Heinrich Ollendiek will replace Maurizio Merlo as Darwin Airline chief executive officer. The new airline will continue to operate with its own AOC and maintain its headquarters in Lugano and Geneva.

Darwin Airline was established in 2003. Ten years later Etihad bought the minority stake in the regional carrier. Darwin Airline operates a fleet of 6 Saab 2000 and 4 ATR72-500 aircraft on flights from Lugano and Geneva. Additionally, the airline offers ACMI services for other Etihad airlines like Alitalia and Air Berlin.

Star Alliance member Adria Airways has completed its privatization in 2016. The airline operates a fleet of 3 Airbus A319, 6 Bombardier CRJ900LR and 3 CRJ700ER. The largest carrier of Slovenia connects Ljubljana Airport with several European airports and Star Alliance hubs. Beside flights from Slovenia, Adria Airways focuses on charter operations from several airports in the Balkan region. Adria Airways CEO Arno Schuster called the takeover of Darwin Airline a win-win situation for both companies.