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17 January 2005

Omniport consolidates its ownership of Maastricht Aachen Airport

UK owner secures 100% shareholding in first privately owned Dutch airport.

London based regional airport operator Omniport Holdings Ltd has increased its shareholding in Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAA) in The Netherlands from 70% to 100%.

Omniport acquired the remaining 30% of shares from local municipalities at a cost of €3.75m on 10th January 2005.

In partnership with the Dutch construction company Dura Vermeer, and through its Dutch subsidiary OMDV BV, Omniport initially acquired 70% of the share capital of MAA in July 2004, with the possibility of increasing its stake further. Omniport invested a total of €8.75m at that time.

Omniport has financed the additional acquisition through existing cash resources and a drawdown from institutional shareholders Caledonia Investments and Penta Capital.

Including the new investment from Omniport, MAA has approximately €40m in cash available for future investment in the infrastructure of the airport. There are also plans to create a business park adjacent to the airport.

Omniport executive director Clive Davies said: "We are delighted to have taken our shareholding in Maastricht Aachen Airport to 100%. In the short time in which we have been involved we have been impressed by the keen interest shown in MAA from those in the European passenger and freight market place. We have long recognised that the airport is geographically well positioned for both passenger and cargo growth and we have been especially pleased with a 30% increase in freight business in the calendar year 2004 which brings the annual freight throughput to 70,000 tonnes per annum.”