Etihad Regional has announced it will introduce five new routes expanding the airline’s operations out of Zurich to eight destinations.

Building on its network expansion strategy, Etihad Regional will commence daily services from Zurich to Linz (Austria), Lyon (France) and Verona (Italy).

From Zurich, the airline 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.

The airline will deploy its ATR 72-500 and Saab 2000 fleet on the new routes.

The ATR aircraft offers 68 seats in Economy Class, while the Saab aircraft offers a total of 50 seats in a two-class configuration, with four Premium Economy seats and 46 Economy Class seats.

Etihad Regional operates eight Saab 2000 aircraft and by June will add four ATR 72-500 to its fleet.

Maurizio Merlo, chief executive, 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 1st.”

To support the expansion, Etihad Regional 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.

Peter Baumgartner, vice chairman designate of Etihad Regional, said: “We are delighted to see the collaboration with Etihad Airways is strengthening Etihad Regional’s business, opening new commercial opportunities, as well as standardising its product and service.”

Flights beyond Abu Dhabi, offered by Etihad Airways and its equity partners, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia connect well with destinations in the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Asia and Australia.