Darwin Airline (Lugano) is reportedly planning to give up its domestic routes in Switzerland linking its Lugano base with Geneva and Zurich according to a report by Swiss news portal Ticinonline. This would leave the regional carrier operating as Etihad Regional with just three weekly seasonal routes from Lugano to Cagliari, Olbia and Pantelleria.
According to a report by Travel Inside, the Swiss federal office for civil aviation (FOCA) has in the meantime agreed to the cooperation agreements between Darwin and Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) as part of Etihad's plans to acquire a 33% stake in the Swiss regional carrier, but still does not agree to the financing plans. Darwin has confirmed to Ticinonline that it is currently reviewing new commercial options to better satisfy FOCA requests.
Speaking to ch-aviation on the condition of anonymity, several well informed sources have confirmed that one of the commercial options being reviewed is to move Etihad Regional operations to German and/or Italian air operator certificates instead.
