EANS-Adhoc: Air Berlin PLC
Increase in shareholding in NIKI from 24% to 49.9%
is completed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ad-hoc disclosure pursuant to section 15 of the WpHG transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in shareholding
05.07.2010
London, 05 July 2010 - Air Berlin PLC announces an increase in its shareholding in NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH. Following the fulfilment of the required conditions, the agreements notarized on February 17, 2010 (see Ad hoc notification from February 17, 2010) have been implemented today.
Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG indirectly acquired 25.9% of the shares in NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH form the Privatstiftung Lauda (private Lauda foundation) and has thereby increased its current shareholding in NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH from 24% to 49.9%. The purchase price for the shares is 21 million Euros.
In connection with the increase of its shareholding, Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG will grant the private Lauda foundation a 40.5 million Euro loan. The private foundation has the option to repay the loan in three years with cash or through the transfer to the remaining 50.1% of NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH´s shares.
Andreas Nikolaus (Niki) Lauda will remain available for services to NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH for at least another three years.
Within the Air Berlin group, NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH will be fully consolidated. It will remain a legally independent company with its own management. The brand NIKI shall be maintained for the foreseeable future.
Air Berlin PLC The Hour House 32 High Street Rickmansworth WD3 1ER Hertfordshire Great Britain WKN AB1000 (Share) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Regulated Market, Prime Standard) WKN A0NQ9H (Convertible Bond 2007) Euro MTF Market on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange WKN A1ALH0 (Convertible Bond 2009) Open Market on the Frankfurt 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: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
München / free trade
Original content of: Air Berlin PLC, transmitted by news aktuell