Disposal, etc

TBI PLC 25 April 2000 Contact: Keith Brooks, Chief Executive TBI plc 020 7408 7300 David Bick Holborn Public Relations 020 7929 5599 david_bick@holbornpr.co.uk TBI plc Sale of Australian airport equity interest for 22% premium Swedish Prime Minister backs expansion of Stockholm Skavsta Airport European retail deal signed with Alpha Airports Sale of Australian Equity Interest TBI plc ('TBI') has sold a 29.1% interest from a total holding of 49% in the Northern Territory Airports in Australia to National Australia Asset Management and John Laing Investment Private Limited. The Northern Territory Airports comprise Darwin International Airport, Alice Springs Airport and Tennant Creek Airport. The airport interest was originally purchased by Airport Group International Holdings ('AGIH') which TBI acquired last year. The disposal price of Au$21.65 million (approximately £8.2 million) represents a 22% premium over the price paid by AGIH when it acquired the airport interest in June 1998. TBI's other airport interests in Australia include 16% of Perth International Airport and 30% of Hobart International Airport. TBI will continue to hold 19.9% of the Northern Territory Airports and will continue to be active in the strategic management of the Australian airports. Swedish Prime Minister backs Skavsta expansion In interviews given to the broadcast and printed media, Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson has backed a greatly expanded Stockholm Skavsta Airport over an earlier proposal to build a new airport in Sodertorn. The Prime Minister said that this should also involve the construction of a new high-speed railway from the centre of Stockholm into Stockholm Skavsta Airport known as the Nykopings Link, taking passengers just 35 minutes to travel to and from the airport. Mr Persson indicated that he expects these proposals to form part of the Government's legislative Infrastructure Proposition when it is made later this year or early next year. New retail deal signed with Alpha Airports A new five-year retail agreement has been signed with Alpha Airports covering a total of 20,000 sq ft of retail space at TBI's three European airports: Belfast International, Cardiff International and Stockholm Skavsta. The deal follows a competitive tender and the agreement comes into operation on 1 May. Previously, Alpha Airports only operated at Belfast International. Commenting on these developments, Keith Brooks, TBI's Chief Executive, said: 'We are pleased with the premium that we realised on the Northern Territory Airports. It demonstrates both the long-term value and the value added since the acquisition. The sale is consistent with TBI's group policy of recirculating capital. We also welcome the experience and synergies that our new partners bring to the shareholder group. 'When we acquired 90.1% of Skavsta for around £17m in June 1998, we had not factored in the possibility of it becoming Stockholm's second airport. The Prime Minister's comments are therefore very welcome. A long-term project of this nature does not bring short-term economic benefits, but we are delighted that there is now a serious prospect of Skavsta becoming a major asset and earnings stream for TBI. 'The new retail deal with Alpha shows the benefits of being able to package the services of a group of airports. It has allowed us to achieve a fundamental improvement to the terms compared to previous agreements and also provides additional benefits to our partner.'
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