EANS-News: Air Berlin PLC / Lionhart buys four used A320 aircraft from Air Berlin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
responsible for the content of this announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Company Information

London/Berlin (euro adhoc) - The Canada-based company Lionhart
Aviation Limited (Lionhart) has announced the purchase of four Airbus
A320s from Air Berlin, Germany's second largest airline. The plan is
for two aircraft to be leased to Virgin America Inc. and two to
Azerbaijan Airlines immediately after the transfer. The deal is
likely to be concluded in April 2010.

"We are looking forward to finalising our first transaction with
Lionhart. This deal rein-forces belief in our policy of constantly
maintaining a modern fleet and upgrading the Air Berlin fleet
accordingly. We hope to build on the relationship between our two
companies in the future. The sale of the four Airbus A320s means a
considerable reduction in net liabilities for Air Berlin. This is of
great importance to us", said Ulf Hüttmeyer, CFO at Air Berlin.

"We believe that this transaction represents the beginning of many
opportunities for cooperation and further deals with Air Berlin.
Against the background of our efforts to build up an operating-lease
portfolio of the highest quality, we consider Air Berlin´s
diversified fleet of first-class commercial aircraft an extremely
interesting environment. We are pleased to be working in partnership
with Air Berlin and look forward to a long-lasting relationship that
is profitable for both parties", commented Steven Layne, EVP
Lionhart.

About Lionhart Aviation Lionhart Aviation Limited has its
headquarters in Toronto (Canada) and is run by a team of avia-tion
experts with many years of experience. Lionhart is focused on
developing a portfolio of high-value operating leases as assets.
Lionhart is therefore in a position to offer a unique solution for
combining infrastructure and project financing with the flexibility
of this popular leasing structure. Founded on private equity,
Lionhart subscribed to an aggressive growth strategy for 2010 by
concentrating on creating high-value assets in the form of both new
and used commercial aircraft and unique investment options.

About Air Berlin Air Berlin is Germany´s second largest airline. The
group has been listed on the stock exchange since May 2006. Last year
Air Berlin carried a total of 27.9 million passengers worldwide. The
company currently has approx. 8,200 employees. Every year Air Berlin
receives more than 10 awards for service and quality. With an average
age of just 5.5 years, Air Berlin has one of the newest fleets in
Europe. Air Berlin´s modern aircraft are extremely fuel-efficient,
thereby provid-ing a lasting contribution to the reduction of
aviation emissions.

For further information please contact:
Steven Layne
EVP Lionhart Aviation Limited
Tel.: 001 720 201 - 9911
E-mail: slayne@lionhart.bz

end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ots Originaltext: Air Berlin PLC & Co Luftverkehrs KG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Hans-Christoph Noack

Director Corporate Communications Air Berlin

Tel.: +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: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
München / free trade