EANS-Adhoc: Air Berlin PLC realises total revenue of EUR 3.72 billion in 2010 - operational result declines to EUR -9.3 million due to extraordinary charges

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

17.03.2011

Ad hoc Notification Pursuant to § 15 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG)

London, 17 March 2011 - The Air Berlin PLC group´s revenue increased by 14.8
per cent to EUR 3.72 billion in 2010 as compared to EUR 3.24 billion in the
previous year (2009 pro forma*: EUR 3.68 billion). The revenue growth fell
short of expectations. In particular, the harsh winter in Europe, the air space
restrictions imposed as a result of the volcanic eruption, as well as the air
traffic controller strike in Spain and the announcement of strikes against Air
Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG have left a clear mark in the Company´s
operational result.

With regards to costs, higher winter-related additional expenses as well as the
costs of the flight cancellations made an impact so that additional operating
expenses on the EBITDAR level increased by 1.2 per cent from EUR 3.12 billion to
EUR 3.16 billion (2009 pro forma*: EUR 2.77 billion). In fact, in the absence of
the numerous additional expenses and one-off effects, operating expenses have
decreased considerably.

Despite these additional expenses and the decline in revenue resulting from
flight cancellations, EBITDAR increased by 22.8 per cent from EUR 503.6 million
in the previous year to EUR 618.5 million in the 2010 financial year (pro forma
2009*: EUR 607.1 EUR).

The operating result (EBIT) declined from EUR 28.5 million (pro forma 2009*: EUR
29 million) to EUR -9.3 million. The financial result decreased from EUR -51
million (2009 pro forma*: EUR -59.3 million) to EUR -133.3 million. In addition
to losses from the valuation of derivative financial instruments and decreased
foreign exchange gains, the expenses associated with the repurchase of the 2009
convertible bonds , amounting to EUR 42.2 million, contributed in particular to
increased charges. In 2009, the Company realised income of EUR 21.2 million from
the repurchase of convertible bonds.

Pre-tax earnings in the 2010 financial year amounted to EUR -141.6 million
compared with EUR -21.7 million in 2009 (pro forma 2009*: EUR -29.5 million).
After a tax benefit in the amount of EUR 44.4 million, the net result for the
reporting year amounts to EUR -97.2 million compared to EUR -9.5 million in 2009
(pro forma 2009*: EUR -21.9 million). Earnings per share based on the average
number of 85.048 million shares outstanding in 2010 (2009: 73.523 million
shares) thus amounted to EUR -1.14, compared with EUR -0.13 in the previous year
(both basic and diluted).

As of 31 December 2010, Air Berlin PLC´s total assets amounted to EUR 2,370.1
million (2009: EUR 2,411.5 million), its total equity amounted to 505.3 million
(2009: EUR 610.0 million), and its net debt amounted to EUR 489.2 million (2009:
EUR 574.1 million).

On 24 March 2011, Air Berlin will publish detailed information on the financial
year´s result as well as the complete annual report as at 31 December 2010. This
information will be available on the Internet at ir.airberlin.com starting at
7:30 am (CET).

*pro forma: 2009 consolidated financial statements of Air Berlin PLC, include
the 2009 adjusted figures for Niki Luftfahrt GmbH, which has been consolidated
in Air Berlin PLC´s consolidated financial statements with effect as of 01 July
2010.

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 A1A LH0 (Convertible Bond 2009) Open Market on
the Frankfurt Stock Exchange WKN AB 100A (Bond 2010) segment Bondm of the Open
Market on the Stuttgart 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

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

print