EANS-News: Air Berlin PLC / Air Berlin achieves EBIT of EUR 17.6 million in the second quarter (correction of consolidated turnover)

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London/Berlin (euro adhoc) - In the second quarter of 2009, the consolidated
revenue of Air Berlin PLC decreased by 3.8 percent to EUR 836.2 million due to
planned capacity reductions, as compared to EUR 868.9 million in the second
quarter of the previous year. EBITDAR reached EUR 134.9 million (Q2/2008: EUR
131.6 million). EBIT increased by 33 percent to EUR 17.6 million (Q2/2008: EUR
13.2 million). Net profit for the second quarter of 2009 reached EUR 7.1 million
(Q2/2008: EUR 7.8 million). In the second quarter of 2009, the number of
passengers transported decreased by 5.5 percent in comparison with the previous
year, reaching 7.245 million. This decrease is lower than the average decrease
recorded in the European airline sector.

Over the first six months of 2009, Air Berlin transported 5.8 percent fewer
passengers than in the corresponding period of the previous year. The number of
passengers welcomed on board decreased from 13.5 to 12.7 million. Although, due
to the decrease in demand, capacity adjustments were effected, in particular to
flights within Europe and to intercontinental flights, Air Berlin was able to
further improve its relative market position in Europe. Available seat
kilometers (ASK) decreased by 10.5 percent, from 26.9 to 24.1 billion. Revenue
per passenger kilometer increased by 13.4 percent, i.e. from 7.33 to 8.31
Eurocents. Capacity utilization of the 128-plane fleet decreased from 77.1 to
74.8 percent, i.e. a decrease of 2.3 percentage points. Consolidated turnover
decreased, namely from EUR 1.522 to EUR 1.497 billion.

For the 1st half-year of 2009, Air Berlin, together with its subsidiaries LTU
and Belair, generated EUR 162.0 million in EBITDAR (Earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation, amortization and leasing expenses) (1st half-year of 2008:
EUR 171.9 million). The typical seasonal loss resulted in EBIT (Earnings before
interest and taxes) of EUR 69.7 million (1st half-year of 2008: EUR 55.4
million). Due to worsened financial performance, net interim figures decreased
from EUR -51.8 to EUR -81.4 million.

The placement of a new EUR 125 million convertible bond on 20 August 2009
enabled the repurchase of existing bonds with a nominal value of EUR 90 million
for approximately EUR 55 million. The remaining proceeds of EUR 70 million will
be used to refinance future airplane deliveries and to improve liquidity. The
repurchase of the existing bonds will result in an approximately EUR 25 million
improvement in the financial results for the third quarter of 2009. Due to this
transaction, net indebtedness will decrease to EUR 582 million (1st half-year of
2009: EUR 638 million).

As Joachim Hunold, CEO of Air Berlin, stated in Berlin on Tuesday: "Despite a
challenging market environment, Air Berlin has succeeded in improving its
relative position with respect to flights within Europe. Using different capital
measures, Air Berlin has succeeded in improving its equity and liquidity, thus
significantly lowering net indebtedness. We are pleased with the results for the
first half-year of 2009."

Further inquiry note:
Hans-Christoph Noack
Director of Corporate Communications, Air Berlin
phone: +49 30 3434 1500
fax: +49 30 3434 1509
e-mail: [email protected]

end of announcement euro adhoc
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emitter: Air Berlin PLC
The Hour House, High Street 32
UK-WD3 1ER Rickmansworth, Herts
phone: +49 (0)30 3434 1500
FAX: +49 (0)30 3434 1509
mail: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.airberlin.com
sector: Air Transport
ISIN: GB00B128C026
indexes: SDAX, Classic All Share, Prime All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, free trade: Berlin,
Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, München
language: English

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