EANS-Adhoc: Air Berlin PLC / Increase in shareholding in NIKI from 24% to 49.9% is completed

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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.
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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

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

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