Etihad Regional launches Pristina flights

Etihad Regional marks quiet arrival into Pristina

Swiss-based Etihad Regional, previously known as Darwin Airline, has launched five weekly flights from Zurich to Pristina. The regional carrier, partially owned by Etihad Airways (pending government approval), inaugurated the service last Friday without much fanfare or official acknowledgment. While tickets cannot be purchased via the airline’s website, nor is the city listed in its destination network, bookings can be made through local travel agents. Etihad Regional operates the new service each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with an ATR72 aircraft. Previously, Darwin Airline operated services between the two cities until the route was suspended earlier this year. Flights are scheduled to depart Zurich in the morning, while the return service from Pristina takes off just after midday.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Taci, announced the new service on his official Facebook page last Friday. “I have some good news from Pristina Airport. Starting today, one of the most prestigious airlines in the world, Etihad Regional, will offer new flights between Pristina and Zurich”, the Prime Minister said. He added, “This is good news for our compatriots living in Switzerland and for the development of Kosovo’s aviation industry. Not long ago, in a meeting with representatives from airlines operating to Pristina, I asked them to increase their flights to Kosovo, which is why we have provided an incentive scheme for new companies entering the market. The arrival of world renowned airlines to Kosovo will ensure higher quality service and cheaper fares for our citizens”.

Switzerland is Pristina Airport’s busiest market with Zurich the most popular destination served out of Kosovo in 2013. A total of 20.7% of all passengers using Pristina Airport last year were either heading to or arriving from the Swiss city. Etihad Regional faces direct competition on the route from Belair (not to be confused with Belle Air), Edelweiss Air and Helvetic Airways. Etihad Regional’s arrival comes as good news for Pristina Airport, which has seen its passenger numbers decline 18% in the first half of the year. Etihad Regional has a limited presence in the former Yugoslavia. The airline operates flights from Geneva to Belgrade and has codeshare agreements in place with its equity alliance partner Air Serbia. The airline cancelled plans earlier this year to inaugurate flights from Rome to Zagreb.

Comments

  1. Anonymous09:08

    ATR72 must be a hell of a ride from ZRH to PRN! I am very interested how the local agents price those flights :)

    OT: Does anyone know Aviolet's preliminary schedule for BEG-CHQ-BEG next Friday?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:51

      Not cheap, way to expensive!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18:24

      Price was the main reason they left from PRN and INI. I remember that INI prices vere around 400 euros return... That is waaaay to expensive

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:28

    Well, they are not really competing with Belair given that they are owned by Air Berlin which is partially owned by Etihad.

    Also, it's worth mentioning that Etihad Regional will keep on flying for Air Serbia to Banja Luka.
    In my opinion this was one of the best business decision which is most likely why the route will be operated five times per week this winter (according to the airline's website).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous09:33

    Ahahaha, Vučić style.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:51

    Why did they give up the Zagreb-Rome route?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:12

      I guess the market wasn't that big or that high yielding for them to justify a price war.

      In other news, Emirates will be increasing Rome to three daily, double daily A380 and a daily B773! Interesting how the Arabs will start fighting in Europe over who will be the master of Rome.lol

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:18

      Same owner of Alitalia and Etihad Regional - Etihad. So Alitalia will fly on that route. Etihad Regional give up of lot of routes from Rome since Alitali-Etihad deal was in final negotiation.

      Delete
    3. Aleksandar Kuzmanović10:54

      To sa borbom arapa kod rima. Unosi srecu u kucni budzet. 300-njak evrica bliza azija nego inace. Da se oce roknuti jos malo blize. Npr u tuzli i bl ;)

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:56

      But Banja Luka market is big enough? Seriously?

      Delete
    5. Aleksandar Kuzmanović13:02

      Nek se rokaju saabovima i dasevima ne mora A380

      Delete
  5. Anonymous10:15

    One of the world's most prestigious? Who da hell is he kidding

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous11:43

    There was an emergency landing at BEG just now. Novair flight from Zakinthos to Stockholm, A321.

    Four flights heading to BEG were supposed to circle around Vojvodina.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous15:40

    EgyptAir Cargo A300-600 was in Belgrade today. Anyone know why?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous17:21

    Jel leteo neko nekad saabom kakav je utisak .
    INN :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:26

      Ja sam leteo zrh-ini
      sa Darwinom, super low level let preko alpa. Kabina je jako niska, sediste je 1-2 konfiguracija.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous20:19

      Hvala na odg :)
      INN

      Delete
  9. Anonymous17:58

    Novair performed emergency landing at BEG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19:55

      Any more details?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21:30

      Smoke in cockpit

      Delete
  10. Anonymous21:55

    Two A320 to Athens today!! I guess JU is making a killing on the route! :O
    Also, A319 is going to Thessaloniki. Damn.

    ReplyDelete

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