Etihad Regional, the Switzerland-based carrier 33.3 percent owned by Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, has announced that it will introduce five new routes expanding the airline’s operations out of Zurich to eight destinations.
The airline said it will start daily services from Zurich to Linz (Austria), Lyon (France) and Verona (Italy). It will also operate to Düsseldorf (Germany) two times per week, and to Florence (Italy) four times per week.
Etihad Regional already flies daily from Zurich to Geneva and Leipzig-Halle, and recently launched three flights per week between Zurich and Turin.
The addition of the five new routes will bring Etihad Regional’s total network to 25 year-round destinations in Europe.
he airline will deploy its ATR 72-500 and Saab 2000 fleet on the new routes, a statement said, adding that Etihad Regional will add four ATR 72-500 to its fleet by June.
Maurizio Merlo, CEO of Etihad Regional, said: “We are excited to add these new routes to our network, which will further strengthen the trade and tourism links in the region and reinforce our position as a leading regional airline.
“The new services will provide additional choice for business and leisure travellers flying to and from Zurich. Beyond Zurich, our guests will be able to connect easily on Etihad Airways’ upcoming daily Zurich-Abu Dhabi service, commencing from June 1.”
To support the expansion, Etihad Regional said it is hiring new staff members, including 16 captains, 16 first-officers, 40 cabin crew members and 30 ground employees, bringing the airline’s total employee count to 320.