Interim Results - 6 Months to 30th September 1999

Dart Group PLC
12 November 1999


Contact: Philip Meeson, Chairman
         Mike Forder, Group Finance Director
         Dart Group PLC                   Tel: [phone]


                         DART GROUP PLC
   Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 September 1999
                                
Dart  Group  PLC, the distribution and aviation services  group,
announces  its  interim  results for the  six  months  ended  30
September 1999.

CHAIRMANS STATEMENT

I  am  pleased to report on the Groups trading during  the  six
months  to  30  September 1999. Profit before tax has  risen  to
£3.5m  (1998:  £3.1m) on turnover of £59.6m (1998:  £49.4m)  and
earnings  per  share  have risen to 7.49p (1998:  6.55p).    The
Board  has  declared an interim dividend of   1.46p   per  share
(1998:  1.27p)  which  will  be  paid  on  7  January  2000   to
shareholders on the register as at  26 November 1999 .

On 27 September 1999 the company raised £2.87m, net of expenses,
via a placing of 1,622,150 new ordinary shares.   Net gearing at
30 September 1999 stood at 9.7%.

Distribution

The companies within the Distribution Division, Fowler Welch and
Channel Express (CI), specialise in the physical distribution of
fresh  produce  and horticultural products to  supermarkets  and
wholesale  markets  throughout the UK.  The  business  presently
operates  from  its  primary distribution centres  in  Spalding,
Lincs., and Portsmouth and from secondary operating bases in key
locations across the UK mainland and in the Channel Islands.

Our  continued  strategic aim for the division is  to  grow  the
business  both  organically  and by targeted  acquisitions  that
enable  us  to  enhance our services in the  major  growing  and
importing areas of the country.  I was, therefore, very  pleased
to announce on 1 November that Dart Group has agreed, subject to
shareholders approval,  to purchase the  entire  issued  share
capital of Coolchain Group Ltd from Credit Agricole Indosuez.

Coolchain  is  the largest distributor of fresh produce  in  the
South-East  of England, and presently operates a fleet  of  over
100   temperature-controlled  vehicles  from   a   purpose-built
distribution  centre at Teynham, Kent, and premises  at  Paddock
Wood, Kent.

Coolchains core business is similar to that of the companies in
our  distribution division, having secured important  nationwide
produce  distribution  contracts  from  multiple  retailers.  We
believe   that  its  operations  can  be  integrated  into   the
divisions  existing  distribution network,  thereby  delivering
more efficient utilisation of the enlarged vehicle fleet and the
provision  of the most cost-effective service for our customers.
Coolchain  is especially well-positioned in Kent to  serve  both
local  growers  and importers whose products  arrive  via  Dover
Docks,  the  Channel  Tunnel and the nearby Sheerness  deepwater
terminal.

We  believe  that  this  acquisition will  enable  the  enlarged
distribution division to achieve the critical mass and economies
of   scale  necessary  to  support  ongoing  investment  in  the
business, particularly on IT and other systems and to secure its
position   as  the  UK  market  leader  in  the  fresh   produce
distribution sector.

Aviation Services

Channel Express (Air Services) freighter aircraft fly on behalf
of   express  parcel  companies,  postal  authorities,   freight
forwarders and other airlines.    Whilst the overall demand  for
the  rapid  transportation of air cargo continues to  grow,  the
companys express parcel customers have experienced a lower rate
of growth in 1999 than in previous years.

Consequently,  the  growth in demand for  the  Groups  6  tonne
capacity  Fokker F27s, 15 tonne Lockheed Electras and  45  tonne
Airbus A300 'Eurofreighters' has been less  buoyant in the first
half.     In  October, therefore, the Group decided to take  the
opportunity  to sell one of its Eurofreighters - it  is  planned
that  this will be replaced with a leased-in aircraft as  demand
improves.   We believe that the softer market conditions we  are
experiencing  are  a  reflection of the still  flat  continental
European economies and that the overall growth in express parcel
services  and the demand for our cargo aircraft will improve  as
these economies  recover.

Channel  Express (Air Services) Parts Trading operation,  which
supplies  Airbus parts to other operators and overhaul agencies,
continues  to  make satisfactory and profitable progress  as  it
widens   its  customer  base.    We  expect  it  to  become   an
increasingly  important  source  of  revenue  for  our  Aviation
Services Division in the future.

We  are particularly encouraged by the progress during the  year
of our freight management company, Benair Freight International,
which is now benefiting from its strengthened management and the
recovery  in  the Far Eastern economies. The recent improvements
in its sales and marketing function have resulted in a number of
new,   prestigious  freight  management  contracts.     We   are
optimistic  that the company will make an increasingly  valuable
contribution to the Group over the coming years.

Finally, I am pleased to report that trading in the second  half
of the year continues satisfactorily.

Philip Meeson, Chairman
12 November 1999


UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
for the half year to 30 September 1999

                           Half year to Half year to     Year to
                           30 September 30 September    31 March
                                   1999         1998        1999
                            (unaudited)   (unaudited)  (audited)
                      Notes       £000          £000       £000

TURNOVER                1       59,577        49,350    105,730

Net operating expenses         (55,874)      (45,751)   (98,920)
                               _______       _______     ______
OPERATING PROFIT                 3,703         3,599      6,810

Net interest payable              (249)         (574)    (1,004)
Surplus on disposal
 of fixed assets                     1            62        299
                               _______       _______      ______
PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES     
BEFORE TAXATION                  3,455         3,087      6,105
Taxation                        (1,026)         (972)    (1,936)
                               _______       _______      _____
PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
AFTER TAXATION                   2,429         2,115     4,169
Dividends                         (497)         (410)   (1,380)
                               _______       _______     ______
RETAINED PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD   1,932         1,705     2,789
                               _______       _______     ______
EARNINGS PER SHARE

-  basic                         7.49p         6.55p     12.91p
-  diluted                       7.43p         6.48p     12.78p
                               _______        _______   _______
DIVIDEND PER SHARE               1.46p         1.27p      4.27p
                               _______        _______   _______
    

STATEMENT OF TOTAL
RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES

Profit on ordinary activities
 after taxation                 2,429          2,115      4,169
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)
on foreign equity investments       5            (23)       (15)
                               ______          ______     ______
Total gains and losses
 recognised in the period       2,434          2,092      4,154
                               ______          ______     ______

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
at 30  September 1999                  1999              1999
                                   30 September        31 March
                                   (unaudited)         (audited)
                          Notes    £000     £000    £000     £000
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets                            38,207          38,820
Investments                                   126             106
                                          _______        ________

CURRENT ASSETS                             38,333          38,926
Stock                             1,473            1,435
Debtors                          15,798           14,122
Cash at bank and in hand         11,864            9,147
                                _______            _____
                                 29,135           24,704
CURRENT LIABILITIES
CREDITORS: amounts falling 
due within one year             (29,359)         (25,867)
                                _______           _______

NET CURRENT (LIABILITIES)                    (224)        (1,163)
                                           _______          _____
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES                                38,109          37,763

CREDITORS: amounts falling
due after more than one year    (10,409)         (14,942)
PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES 
AND CHARGES                      (3,251)          (3,251)
                                _______           _______
 
                                          (13,660)        (18,193)
                                          _______          ______

                                           24,449          19,570
                                          _______          ______
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital                     1,784           1,617
Share premium account                       7,339           4,564
Profit and loss account     2              15,326          13,389
                                          _______          ______
SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS -  
equity interests                           24,449          19,570
                                          _______         ______

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the half year to 30 September 1999

                            Half year to   Half year to   Year to
                            30 September   30 September  31 March
                                    1999        1998        1999
                             (unaudited)    (unaudited)  (audited)

                       Notes       £000          £000      £000
NET CASH INFLOW FROM
OPERATING ACTIVITIES      3       8,778         8,767    24,480     
                                 ______        ______    ______

RETURNS ON INVESTMENT AND
SERVICING OF FINANCE
Interest paid: bank and
 other loans                       (401)         (709)   (1,413)
Interest element of
 finance lease rental
 payments                           (31)          (62)     (103)
Interest received: bank             183           197       512
                                 ______        ______    ______

                                   (249)        (574)    (1,004)
TAXATION
Corporation and advance
corporation tax paid               (192)        (173)      (512)

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT
Purchase of tangible fixed assets(5,740)      (8,791)   (17,250)
Disposal of tangible fixed assets   140          615      2,159
                                  ______      ______    _______

                                  (5,600)     (8,176)   (15,091)

EQUITY DIVIDENDS PAID               (973)       (807)    (1,217)
                                  ______      _______   _______

CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) BEFORE
MANAGEMENT OF LIQUID RESOURCES
AND FINANCING                      1,764        (963)     6,656

MANAGEMENT OF LIQUID RESOURCES     4,549          -      (4,549)

FINANCING
Ordinary share capital issued      2,942          20         37
Other loans repaid                (1,670)     (1,772)    (3,441)
Bank loans repaid                   (172)       (172)      (346)
Capital elements of finance
 lease rental payments              (147)       (200)      (356)
                                 _______       ______    ______
                                     953      (2,124)    (4,106)

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH
IN THE PERIOD                      7,266      (3,087)    (1,999)
                                  ______      _______   ________
NOTES TO THE INTERIM RESULTS
at 30 September 1999

1. TURNOVER
                         Half year to    Half year to    Year to
                         30 September    30 September   31 March
                                 1999            1998       1999
                          (unaudited)     (unaudited)   (audited)
                                 £000           £000        £000
     Distribution              29,439         21,825      44,942
     Aviation Services         30,138         27,525      60,788
                               ______         _______      ______
                               59,577         49,350     105,730
                               ______        _______      _______
     Turnover arising within:
     The United Kingdom and the
     Channel Islands           58,932         48,840     104,663
     The Far East                 645            510       1,067
                              _______        _______    ________
                               59,577         49,350     105,730
                              =======        =======     =======

Analyses  of  profit before taxation and net assets between  the
different segments of the Group are not given as, in the opinion
of  the  directors, such analyses would be seriously prejudicial
to  the  commercial interests of the Group.  Turnover  to  third
parties  by destination is not materially different to  that  by
source and relates to continuing activities.

2. PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

                                      Half year to   Year to
                                     30  September  31 March
                                              1999      1999
                                       (unaudited) (audited)
                                              £000      £000

  Balance at the beginning of the period    13,389    10,615
  Retained profit for the period             1,932     2,789
  Currency translation differences               5       (15)
                                           _______     _____

                                            15,326    13,389
                                            ______    ______


3. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO
   NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                         Half year to Half year to  Year to
                         30 September 30 September  31 March
                                 1999         1998      1999
                          (unaudited)  (unaudited) (audited)
                                £000         £000      £000
  
  Operating Profit             3,703        3,599     6,810
  Depreciation                 4,932        6,290    15,315
  (Increase)/decrease in stock   (38)         (90)       43
  (Increase) in debtors       (1,252)      (1,158)   (1,689)
  Increase in creditors        1,428          149     4,016
  Exchange differences             5          (23)      (15)
                              ______       ______    ______
  Net cash inflow from 
  operating activities         8,778        8,767    24,480
                              ______       ______    ______
  
4. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW
   TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT

                                     Half year to       Year
                                                          to
                                     30  September  31 March
                                              1999      1999
                                       (unaudited) (audited)
                                              £000      £000

  Increase/(decrease) in cash
  in the period                              7,266    (1,999)
  (Decrease)/increase in short
  term deposits                             (4,549)    4,549
  Cash  outflow  from  decrease
  in net debt in  the  period                1,989     4,143
                                          _______     ______

  Change in net debt in the period           4,706     6,693
  Net debt at 1 April                       (7,072)  (13,765)
                                           ______     ______

  Net debt at end of period                 (2,366)   (7,072)
                                           ______    ______
5. YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

The  Group  is  fully  aware  of  the  serious  implications  of
disruption to business operations as a result of Year 2000  date
problems.

Given the complexity of the problem, it is not possible for  any
organisation  to  guarantee  that no  Year  2000  problems  will
remain.  The Group has now completed the testing of its business
critical  internal computer systems which it  believes  are  now
fully millennium ready.  It has also completed the audit of  its
mission  critical suppliers to ensure that they too  have  fully
dealt  with Year 2000 issues and there will be no disruption  to
the service they supply to Group companies.   The Group has also
drawn  up  detailed contingency plans which will be  continually
updated and revised to minimise any possible disruption  to  its
business.  The costs of the Year 2000 compliance have  not  been
separately  analysed out from the investments made in  upgrading
the Groups computer systems, as the incremental expenditure  is
not material.

As  a  result of the action the Group has taken and  will  take,
customers,  suppliers and investors can have  every  expectation
that its businesses will continue to function in such a way that
no  disruption to either its own or its clients businesses will
result from the Year 2000 problem.

6. OTHER MATTERS

The financial information for the year to 31 March 1999 does not
constitute statutory accounts, as defined in Section 240 of  the
Companies  Act 1985, but is based on the statutory accounts  for
the  year  then ended.  Those accounts, upon which the  auditors
issued  an  unqualified  opinion, have  been  delivered  to  the
Registrar of Companies.

The  accounts  to  30  September 1999 have been  prepared  using
accounting policies consistent with those adopted for  the  year
to 31 March 1999.

Basic  earnings  per share has been calculated by  reference  to
earnings  of  £2,429,000  (1998 :  £2,115,000)  and  a  weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue of  32,425,030 (1998:
32,282,759).

This  report  is being sent to all shareholders and  copies  are
available from the Company Secretary at the registered office of
the  Company,  Building 470, Bournemouth International  Airport,
Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6SE.