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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Further inquiry note:
Ingolf Hegner
Head of Investor Relations
+49 (0)30 3434 1532
[email protected]
end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer:   Air Berlin PLC
          The Hour House, High Street 32
          UK-WD3 1ER Rickmansworth, Herts
phone:    +49 (0)30 3434 1500
FAX:      +49 (0)30/3434-1049
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

Digitale Pressemappe: http://www.ots.at/pressemappe/EASY_12274

OTS-ORIGINALTEXT PRESSEAUSSENDUNG UNTER AUSSCHLIESSLICHER INHALTLICHER VERANTWORTUNG DES AUSSENDERS - WWW.OTS.AT | OTB

print