Cambridge airport is to become a direct beneficiary of Etihad Airways establishing a European regional arm after taking a 33.3% stake in Swiss carrier Darwin Airline.
Darwin Airline currently runs four routes from Cambridge and is to start a new service to Dusseldorf in April 2014.
The carrier will rebrand its operations as Etihad Regional and align its network to connect passengers from secondary European markets, including Cambridge, onto the main networks of Etihad Airways and its equity alliance partners.
Passengers from Cambridge will be able to connect to the network of Etihad Airways’ partner Air Berlin via Düsseldorf.
Etihad will also launch daily services on June 1 from Abu Dhabi to Zurich which will become one of Darwin Airline’s main operating hubs.
The investment will give the UAE carrier access to regional markets in Europe, and enable a major expansion of Darwin Airline’s operations.
Darwin Airline is based in Lugano, Switzerland with its major hub in Geneva. It currently offers scheduled flights to 21 destinations in Europe using a fleet of ten 50-seat Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft.
The airline, which will continue to focus on secondary markets, will become the seventh member of the Etihad’s equity airline alliance, the fourth partner in Europe, and the first to operate using the new Etihad Regional sub-brand.
Etihad president and chief executive James Hogan 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.
“This is not just a great new offer for European travellers. It is also great news for Darwin Airline, which will see increased investment, greater sales and marketing opportunities, and the chance to benefit from Etihad Airways’ global network.”
He added that the new approach could be extended to other markets over time.
“This new model is one that can bring the Etihad badge of quality to air travellers around the world. In just a decade, we have established the Etihad brand as one of the most recognised and most highly regarded in aviation. This model offers a new direction for that brand in future.”
Steve Jones, managing director of aviation services at Cambridge airport owners Marshall Group, said: “When we started working with Darwin Airline two months’ ago, we knew that it would be the perfect strategic partner for Cambridge airport, offering long-term expertise, award-winning service and opportunities for further international growth, and we are delighted that Etihad Regional will now offer even greater global connectivity to our customers.
“Not only is the new Düsseldorf route an excellent fit for Cambridge’s thriving business market, but it also demonstrates Etihad Airways’ commitment and belief in Cambridge airport from the outset.”