Corporate | 22 August 2006 10:00

Flughafen Wien AG:above-average increase in traffic supports strong growth in turnover.

Corporate news transmitted by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. —————————————————————————— The Flughafen Wien Group announces solid results for the first six months of 2006 with 7.9 million passengers (+ 8.1%), turnover of EUR 225.3 million (+ 14.9%) and EBITDA of EUR 83.9 million (+ 8.3%). + 8.1% in the number of passengers Approximately 7.9 million passengers chose Vienna International Airport as the starting point of their trip or transfer hub during the first half of 2006. This figure represents an increase of 8.1% over the comparable period of the previous year. The growth recorded by Vienna International Airport again exceeded the European average, which reached 5.9% for this six-month period according to Airport Council International. The highest increase in passenger volume was registered on flights to destinations in the Near East with a plus of 21.0% and the Far East with 17.3%. Vienna International Airport also expanded its market position in traffic to Eastern Europe during this period – the number of passengers travelling to the region rose by 7.8%. The share of passenger volume generated by the low-cost carriers grew by 13.3% during the first six months of 2006, and the number of passengers handled by these airlines increased 11.5%. Air Moldava, Dniproavia, Hapag Fly and Sunexpress added Vienna to their flight schedules during the first half of 2006. The number of destinations totalled 168 for this period. The positive development of traffic weakened during July 2006: Vienna International Airport recorded growth of 2.9% in the number of passengers, 1.7% in flight movements and 1.1% in maximum take-off weight (MTOW). Highlight – the EU Presidency An important facet of activities during the first half of 2006 was the handling of the numerous additional flights and official guests who visited Austria in connection with the country’s role as the rotating seat of the EU presidency. Vienna Aircraft Handling Gesellschaft m.b.H., a wholly owned subsidiary of Flughafen Wien AG, registered nearly 250 extra flights and roughly 4,600 more passengers during this time. Moreover, a total of 120 delegations used the new VIP&Business Center. Stronger development of traffic leads to higher turnover The stronger-than-expected development of traffic led to an increase of 14.9% in turnover for the reporting period, which rose to a total of EUR 225.3 million. This growth exceeded forecasts by a substantial margin, and was supported by all three segments. Turnover grew 10.8% in the Airport Segment and 11.8% in the Handling Segment. However, the largest improvement was recorded by the Non-Aviation Segment with a plus of 28.5%. This increase resulted primarily from additional security controls performed by Vienna International Security Services Ges.m.b.H (VIAS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Flughafen Wien AG, as well as increased revenues from parking and rentals. Further optimisation of tariff structures In order to strengthen its competitive position, Vienna International Airport further optimised tariff structures during the first half of this year. As of 1 January 2006 landing and parking tariffs were cut by 2.8% and the general infrastructure tariff and the infrastructure tariff for fuelling were reduced by 1.0% and 1.87%, respectively. The passenger tariff was raised by EUR 1.12 to EUR 14.62, in part to finance the introduction of new environmental protection measures required by the mediation contract. Increase of 8.3% in EBITDA Income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 8.3% to EUR 83.9 million, and income before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased 4.6% to EUR 53.3 million for the reporting period. Financial results turned from a plus of EUR 1.2 million in the comparable period of 2005 to a minus of EUR 2.2 million for the first half of 2006. This reversal was triggered by higher interest expense, which was related to an increase in borrowings to finance capital expenditure. Net profit for the first six months of 2006 declined 1.6% to EUR 38.6 million as a result of the negative development of financial results, and net profit attributable to the parent company decreased 1.1% to also total EUR 38.6 million. Well set for the future The numerous construction projects at Vienna International Airport will continue at a rapid pace in the coming months: work on the expansion of the Skylink Terminal is proceeding as planned and the opening is scheduled for the last quarter of 2008. The completion of the second phase of construction in the Office Park, which will serve as the headquarters for the Austrian Airlines Group, is planned for the second quarter of 2007. In addition, another hangar will be built in the general aviation sector of the airport by the end of October 2006. Consolidated Income Statement in T€ 1-6/2006 1-6/2005 Change Turnover 225,260.3 196,019.5 14.9% Other operating income 6,405.0 13,544.2 -52.7% Operating income 231,665.4 209,563.7 10.5% Cost of materials and services -18,484.7 -16,643.7 11.1% Personnel expenses -96,571.1 -87,972.4 9.8% Other operating expenses -32,682.9 -27,421.8 19.2% Income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) 83,926.7 7 7,525.9 8.3% Amortisation of intangible assets and depreciation of tangible assets -30,582.5 -26,551.8 15.2% Income before interest and taxes (EBIT) 53,344.1 50,974.1 4.6% Income from investments, excl. associates at equity 217.3 30.5 611.8% Net financing costs -2,789.7 1,071.2 -360.4% Other income from financing activities 0.0 52.4 -100.0% Financial results, excl. associates at equity -2,572.3 1,154.1 -322.9% Income from associates at equity 388.3 40.3 863.5% Financial results -2,184.1 1,194.4 -282.9% Profit before tax (EBT) 51,160.1 52,168.5 -1.9% Taxes on income -12,549.1 -12,949.0 -3.1% Net profit for the period 38,611.0 39,219.5 -1.6% Thereof minority interest -22.0 151.2 -114.5% Thereof parent company 38,633.0 39,068.3 -1.1% Earnings per share (in €) 1.84 1.86 -1.1% Robert Dusek Investor Relations Flughafen Wien AG Tel:+43-1-7007/23126 e-mail: r.dusek@viennaairport.com (c)DGAP 22.08.2006 ————————————————————————— Language: English Issuer: Flughafen Wien AG Postfach 1 1300 Wien-Flughafen Österreich Phone: +43-1-7007/23126 Fax: +43-1-7007/23058 E-mail: r.dusek@viennaairport.com WWW: www.viennaairport.com ISIN: AT0000911805 WKN: 091180 Indices: ATX Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Wiener Börse; Freiverkehr in Berlin-Bremen, Stuttgart, München; Open Market in Frankfurt; Foreign Exchange(s) London End of News DGAP News-Service —————————————————————————