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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Increase in shareholding

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

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:

Ingolf Hegner

Head of Investor Relations

+49 (0)30 3434 1532

ihegner@airberlin.com

Branche: Air Transport
ISIN: GB00B128C026
WKN: AB1000
Index: SDAX, Classic All Share, Prime All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
München / free trade