Breaking News: Ad-hoc Report according to § 15 WpHG

Berlin, March 17, 2009 – Air Berlin PLC is engaged in advanced negotiations with TUI Travel PLC and companies affiliated with it concerning a potential strategic cooperation in German air transportation. The final approval of the board of Air Berlin PLC and that of the board of TUI Travel PLC and the supervisory committees of the other involved companies is yet to be given. Nothing is certain yet as to the outcome of the negotiations. Should the transaction take place, the present state of the negotiations suggests that it will include the following major components: – a subsidiary of TUI Travel PLC will take a minority share of no more than 20% in Air Berlin PLC through the subscription of new shares based on the weighted average stock exchange value of the last twelve weeks. – Air Berlin PLC will indirectly acquire a holding of equal percental magnitude in TUIfly (i.e. in Hapag Lloyd Fluggesellschaft mbH/ Hapag Lloyd Express GmbH). – Air Berlin PLC will further assume the TUIfly route portfolio in the city segment with Air Berlin PLC&Co Luftverkehrs KG, while Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG will utilize equivalent aircraft capacities of TUIfly in accordance with long-term service contracts with TUIfly. – The route portfolio in the charter segment will remain with TUIfly.

In case of a successful outcome of the negotiations, the companies will enter into contracts subject to the approval of the responsible cartel authorities.

Air Berlin PLC The Hour House 32 High Street Rickmansworth WD3 1ER Hertfordshire Great Britain WKN AB1000 (Stock) Frankfurt Securities Exchange (official market, prime standard) WKN AONQ9H (convertible bond) Euro MTF Market on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange

Inquiries: Ingolf Hegner, Head of Investor Relations, +49 (0)30 3434 1532 ihegner@airberlin.com.