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 filed for insolvency on Monday following what it called “several unfavorable market impacts” that beset new owner Adria Airways since it bought the Swiss regional airline in June. Although it bought Darwin a month after code-share partner Alitalia declared insolvency, Adria named the resulting termination of all business contracts with the Italian flag carrier as one of the difficulties it faced. Later, the unexpected insolvency of Air Berlin, for which Darwin provided ACMI services, led to what the Swiss airline characterized as significant negative effects such as bad debt, loss of existing business and future business opportunities.

 


Darwin said it would work to save as many jobs as it could by continuing to fly under its existing operating certificate, becoming a crew service provider for pilots and flight attendants and offering maintenance services for both its own aircraft and third parties.

 


Those operations will require between 100 and 120 employees, estimates Darwin.

 


Darwin’s insolvency marks another casualty of Etihad Airways’ withdrawal from loss-making equity stakes in European airlines. Etihad sold its 33.3-percent share in Darwin in July, some two and a half months after it refused to inject further capital into Alitalia without steep concessions from employees. In August Etihad withdrew any further support of Air Berlin, another foundering airline in which it owned more than a 29-percent stake. Air Berlin immediately filed for insolvency and just two months later ceased operations. Most of Air Berlin’s remaining aircraft and slot assets now reside with Lufthansa and EasyJet.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Switzerland's Darwin Airline Files for Insolvency

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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.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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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.

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