euro adhoc: Austrian Airlines AG
other
ÖIAG share in Austrian Airlines sold
to Lufthansa
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
Privatisations
05.12.2008
Lufthansa intends to take over Austrian Airlines
The Supervisory Board of ÖIAG today agreed to sell ÖIAG's 41.56
percent share in Austrian Airlines to Lufthansa. This was preceded
by the agreement of the Supervisory Board of Lufthansa AG
("Lufthansa") to this course of action on 3 December 2008. The
signing of the contract took place after the meeting of the
Supervisory Board of ÖIAG.The takeover of the 41.56% share in Austrian Airlines owned by ÖIAG will take place for a price of EUR 366,268.75 with a debtor warrant. Out of this debtor warrant, Lufthansa will pay an amount of up to EUR 162 million, depending on the future economic development of Austrian Airlines and the outperformance of Lufthansa shares.
Execution of these contracts depends in particular on the suspensive conditions of their approval under Competition law, and approval by the European Commission under assistance law of a restructuring aid of EUR 500 million being paid by the Republic of Austria. Approval for part of this restructuring assistance to be made immediately, which requires a resolution by the Council of Ministers and Supervisory Board, is also still outstanding.
Within the expiry of takeover law, Lufthansa will submit a takeover offer to free float shareholders in Austrian Airlines. In accordance with takeover law, and subject to verification by the Takeover Commission, the offer price will be EUR 4.44 per share, and amount to an approximate total of a further EUR 215 million.
In the sense of the privatisation contract, it was agreed that Austrian Airlines should remain a legally independent company with its head office in Austria and its own brand. Lufthansa declared itself prepared to maintain Austrian air traffic infrastructure as it currently stands where possible, taking into consideration the needs of Vienna as a business location, as well as continuing to expand this wherever commercially viable in line with the needs of the market; the Lufthansa concept also provides for retention of the long-haul connections so important for the region as a business location. Apart from improved access to international passenger flows and joint international marketing, the benefits for Austrian Airlines will consist of using the cost advantages and economies of scale that will result from integration into the Lufthansa Group.
Please find further information concerning the disclosure according to §§ 24 and 25 Media Act on www.austrian.com
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Corporate Communications:
Livia Dandrea-Böhm
Tel.: 051766 - 11231
Investor Relations
Thomas Krammer
Tel.: 051766 - 13311
Branche: Air Transport
ISIN: AT0000620158
WKN: 875224
Index: WBI, ATX Prime
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market