EANS-Adhoc: Air Berlin PLC
Strategic cooperation with TUI Travel
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic cooperation
17.03.2009
Ad-Hoc Release pursuant to Sec. 15 Securities Trading Act (WpHG)
Berlin, 17. March 2009, - Air Berlin PLC is in advanced negotiations with TUI Travel PLC and their affiliated companies with respect to a potential strategic cooperation regarding the German aviation business. The final approval of the board of Air Berlin, the approval of the board of TUI Travel PLC as well as of boards of other involved companies are still outstanding. There is no certainty that this transaction will be concluded and if concluded may include the following elements: A group member company of TUI Travel PLC will participate in Air Berlin PLC with a minority interest which will not exceed 20%. The participation will be acquired by way of a subscription to new shares on the basis of the volume-weighted average price of the last twelve weeks. Air Berlin PLC will indirectly acquire a participation in the same percentage in TUIfly (i.e. in Hapag Lloyd Fluggesellschaft mbH / Hapag Lloyd Express GmbH). Furthermore, Air Berlin PLC will through Air Berlin PLC & Co Luftverkehrs KG take over the route portfolio of the city sector of TUIfly whereby Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs GmbH will utilise aircraft capacities by means of long-term service agreements with TUIfly. The route portfolio of the charter sector will remain with TUIfly.
If the transaction is satisfactorily concluded, agreements will be executed subject to approval by the competent antitrust authorities.
Air Berlin PLC The Hour House 32 High Street Rickmansworth WD3 1ER Hertfordshire Großbritannien WKN AB1000 (Share) Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Official Market, Prime Standard) WKN AONQ9H (Convertible Bond) Euro MTF Market on the Luxemburger Stock Exchange
end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further inquiry note:
Ingolf Hegner
Head of Investor Relations
+49 (0)30 3434 1532
ihegner@airberlin.com
Branche: Air Transport
ISIN: GB00B128C026
WKN: AB1000
Index: SDAX, Classic All Share, Prime All Share
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin / free trade
Börse Hamburg / free trade
Börse Stuttgart / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Börse München / free trade
Original content of: Air Berlin PLC, transmitted by news aktuell