Improved performance for Air Berlin

Optimization measures yield results – Positive operating income
expected for 2008

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ots.CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for
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air transport/financial figures/6-month report/Q2 figures

London/Berlin (euro adhoc) - The 2008 interim results of Air Berlin
PLC have improved in comparison with the corresponding period of the
previous year. Fleet capacity utilization as well as revenue per
available flight kilometre have increased. The optimization programme
introduced in June will enable the company to save an additional EUR
35 million by the end of the year.

Over the first six months of 2008, Air Berlin transported 6.54
percent more passengers than in the corresponding period of the
previous year. The number of passengers welcomed on board increased
from 12.7 to 13.5 million, even though available seat kilometres
(ASK) decreased by 2.48 percent, namely from 27.6 to 26.9 billion.
The number of seat kilometres sold increased from 20.4 to 20.8
billion. Capacity utilization of the 128-plane fleet increased from
73.90 to 77.08 percent, i.e. an increase of 3.18 percentage points.
Consolidated turnover increased from EUR 1.45 to EUR 1.53 billion.

For the 1st half-year of 2008, Air Berlin, together with its
subsidiaries LTU and Belair, generated EUR 173.4 million in EBITDAR
(Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and
leasing expenses) (1st half-year of 2007: EUR 153.9 million). EBIT
(Earnings before interest and taxes) improved due to the typical
seasonal loss narrowing from EUR -66.3 to EUR -53.9 million,
resulting in net interim figures of EUR -50.8 million (2007: EUR
-60.4 million).

For the second quarter of 2008, turnover increased from EUR 814.8 to
EUR 869.5 million, i.e. a 6.7 percent increase over the second
quarter of the previous year. Net consolidated income improved from
EUR 6.0 to EUR 8.3 million. EBIT decreased from EUR 18.7 to EUR 13.8
million. The results were adversely affected by the transaction costs
and the consultancy fees related to the cancellation of the Condor
acquisition, and the high start-up costs for the flight routes to
China.

As Air Berlin´s CEO Joachim Hunold stated in Berlin on Thursday: "In
light of the trying times that the airline sector is currently
experiencing as a result of the tremendous increase in fuel costs, we
are pleased with our results for the first half of the year. More
particularly, because it has been demonstrated that our broad-based
business model is well-positioned to overcome these challenges."

Hunold also pointed out that the optimization programme for
increasing capacity utilization and improving yields continues to
have a positive effect, and that the company sees a potential for
saving an additional EUR 35 million by year-end. He stated: "Despite
all the challenges stemming from the weakening global economy and the
explosive development of kerosene prices, we remain optimistic about
achieving a positive operating income for the current year."

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: Air Berlin PLC & Co Luftverkehrs KG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Peter Hauptvogel

Director of Corporate Communications, Air Berlin

phone: +49 30 3434 1500

fax: +49 30 3434 1509

e-mail: abpresse@airberlin.com

Branche: Air Transport
ISIN: GB00B128C026
WKN: AB1000
Index: SDAX, Classic All Share, Prime All Share
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
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