Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Switzerland’s Darwin Airline expects to decide on the direction it takes its fleet composition by the end of the year, as the world’s sole Etihad Regional-branded operation prepares to celebrate its first anniversary as part of the Abu Dhabi-based carrier's equity alliance.

 


Speaking with AIN at October’s European Regions Airline Association general assembly in Barcelona, Darwin CEO Maurizio Merlo left little doubt about his intentions to expand the airline through the economies of scale the partnership allows. Merlo also stressed the importance of Etihad’s purchase of 33 percent of the Swiss regional, characterizing the acquisition as nothing less than a lifeline.

 


“It’s difficult to survive as a standalone, especially if you are small,” said Merlo. “You need scale. But to have scale you need financial support.”

 


Merlo, who started working as training manager with Darwin at its inception some 10 years ago and worked his way through the company ranks until accepting the CEO position in 2012, credits the company’s survival over the past decade to the patience of its shareholders and their willingness to continue to invest even while losing money. Without Etihad’s financial backing, however, the airline wouldn’t have lasted much longer, he conceded.

 


Flying a fleet of 10 Saab 2000s throughout Europe, primarily from its bases in Lugano and Geneva, Darwin maintained code-share ties with Alitalia and Swiss International Airlines, but, according to Merlo, it lost money on feeder services, relying on point-to-point flying to stay afloat.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 


“It’s completely different now because we are in a partnership,” he said. “But even so, we have to look not to cannibalize too much our point-to-point [markets] with the feeder [services] because they're still important. And then at the end of the year, I want to see a black number. And the point-to-point is actually where you make money.”

 


<a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2014-05-07/etihad-regional-adds-atrs">Just this year adding four leased ATR 72s</a> to its fleet of Saabs, Darwin plans to commit&nbsp;soon&nbsp;to a fleet plan for the next “ten or fifteen years” with what Merlo called an “official” aircraft type.&nbsp;

 


Although he said the now out-of-production Saab 2000s fit “perfectly” into Darwin’s network, the lack of additional airplanes for sale or lease means it will undoubtedly have to switch types. Along with Etihad, Darwin plans to determine&nbsp;by the end of next month whether or not the ATRs present a long-term solution.

 


“Part of the strategy is not to work standalone, but to work together, to make an analysis [together] because, of course, if you order 10 aircraft you get one price, if you order 30 aircraft you get another price,” explained Merlo.

 


“At the end of the day you need to build a business that is sustainable. Etihad is not a charity airline. And to build up this business model that’s sustainable...we cooperate and share.”

 


&nbsp;

 


&nbsp;

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

With Help from Etihad, Darwin Prepares To Re-fleet 

Swiss airline approaches first full year of operation as Etihad Regional

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

FlyNYON will offer aerial photography flights on Beta’s Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft

NYC Helitour Operator FlyNYON Orders Beta’s eVTOL Aircraft

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Get a glimpse of Qatar's unique interior appointments.

Step Aboard Qatar Executive's Gulfstream G700 Business Jet

Jilin signs preliminary purchase agreement for 41 EH216-S aircraft

EHang Plans Cold-weather eVTOL Trials in China’s Jilin Province

Republic Airways is the latest customer to receive an aircraft for testing.

Beta Technologies' Alia CX300 Electric Aircraft Debuts at Paris Air Show

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Competing against the Boeing 777, this airliner has a maximum capacity of 410 passengers.

Airbus A350-1000 Airliner Flies at the Paris Air Show

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Aircraft

NYC Helitour Operator FlyNYON Orders Beta’s eVTOL Aircraft

FlyNYON will offer aerial photography flights on Beta’s Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft

Step Aboard Qatar Executive's Gulfstream G700 Business Jet

Get a glimpse of Qatar's unique interior appointments.

EHang Plans Cold-weather eVTOL Trials in China’s Jilin Province

Jilin signs preliminary purchase agreement for 41 EH216-S aircraft

Beta Technologies' Alia CX300 Electric Aircraft Debuts at Paris Air Show

Republic Airways is the latest customer to receive an aircraft for testing.

Airbus A350-1000 Airliner Flies at the Paris Air Show

Competing against the Boeing 777, this airliner has a maximum capacity of 410 passengers.

Fouga CM170 Magister Flies at the Paris Air Show

This French classic is right at home at the Paris Air Show.

Embraer KC-390 Military Airlifter Flies at the Paris Airshow

Nations around the world have ordered the multirole aircraft.

Embraer E195-E2 Airliner Flies at the Paris Air Show

The regional airliner can seat up to 146 passengers.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN