EANS-Adhoc: Air Berlin PLC
Increase in shareholding NIKI from 24% to 49.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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
17.02.2010
Ad-hoc Notification Pursuant to §15 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG)
London, 17 February 2010 - Air Berlin PLC announces an increase in its shareholding in NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH. The contracts described below were notarized on 17 February 2010.
Air Berlin PLC and its subsidiary Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG have contractually agreed with the Privatstiftung Lauda (private Lauda foundation) that Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG will indirectly acquire 25.9% of the shares of NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH and thereby increase 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 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.
The execution of the measures described above remains subject to receipt of the necessary anti-trust approvals.
Within the Air Berlin group, NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH will be consolidated in full. It will remain a legally independent company with its own management.
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