Aeroports de Paris and Schiphol Group Ink Alliance

To anticipate future challenges in their sector, Aeroports de Paris and NV Luchthaven Schiphol (Schiphol Group) announced their intention to enter into a long-term industrial cooperation and 8 percent cross-shareholding agreement.

The industrial cooperation agreement would be signed for an initial period of twelve years, and would be supported by an efficient and balanced governance structure to ensure its success. Schiphol Group and Aeroports de Paris would acquire an 8 percent stake in each other's share capital to reinforce each airport group's commitment to the industrial cooperation.

The industrial cooperation between two of Europe's airports represents a bold strategic move that is expected to generate joint mutual benefits in all key business areas:

-- Aviation: the cooperation will improve the competitiveness of both airports through the consolidation of a dual-hub which will offer through airlines one of the highest number of destinations (143) and frequencies (over 30,000) among all European hub airports. Aeroports de Paris and Schiphol Group will cooperate to provide a greatly enhanced value proposition to end-users through service levels, broader product offerings and continued competitive visit costs for both airlines and passengers;

-- Non-aviation: Schiphol Group and Aeroports de Paris intend to further accelerate the growth and profitability of their retail, real estate and telecoms activities through the exchange of best practices, technology and processes that will increase revenues and reduce costs;

-- International development: Aeroports de Paris and Schiphol Group will jointly approach future international airport developments with a key focus on strengthening the dual hub within SkyTeam network internationally and have an opportunistic approach in non SkyTeam zones.

Pierre Graff, Chairman and CEO of Aeroports de Paris, said, "This cooperation represents a breakthrough transaction in our industry and a unique opportunity to improve our operations and our competitiveness in the new worldwide airport landscape. The acquisition of 8 percent of Schiphol Group's share capital is an attractive investment in a best-in-class airport. This acquisition and our future cooperation with Schiphol Group will bring great value to our shareholders, customers and employees."

Gerlach Cerfontaine, President and CEO of Schiphol Group, said, "This collaborative venture signifies an important strategic choice for the dual-hub system in the consolidation process that is taking place in the global aviation industry. It gives Aeroports de Paris and Schiphol Group the edge over other airports and creates a leading network of connections for European and worldwide transfer travelers. This move is certain to improve our competitiveness, as well as that of SkyTeam, relative to our competitors in Europe and the Middle East. In addition, the strengthening of quality of the services and our principal airport processes will offer advantages to all users of our airports - airlines and passengers alike."

Aeroports de Paris builds, develops and manages airports including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget. Aeroports de Paris is Europe's second-largest airport group in terms of airport revenue and the European leader for cargo and mail.

Schiphol Group is an airport operator. Schiphol Group owns and operates Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Rotterdam Airport and Lelystad Airport and has a 51 percent share in Eindhoven Airport. Outside the Netherlands, Schiphol USA has a share in JFK IAT, which operates Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy Airport, New York and Schiphol Australia has a share in Brisbane Airport Corporation, the operator of Brisbane Airport.

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