Milan , 16 August 2007- Autogrill S.p.A. (Milan: AGL IM) announces the closing of its Offer to acquire all of the Alpha Airports Group PLC (AAP LN) shares and that it will now take steps to procure the making of applications by Alpha Airports for the de-listing of Alpha Airports Shares from the Official List and for the cancellation of admission to trading of the Alpha Airports Shares on the London Stock Exchange's market for listed securities (De-listing).
Since acceptances have reached the 90% threshold, Autogrill intends to acquire compulsorily all of the outstanding Alpha Airports Shares in respect of which valid acceptances have not yet been received (Squeeze-out).
The Offer will remain open for acceptance until the later of 14 days from the date hereof and the date the compulsory acquisition notices are dispatched to Alpha Airports Shareholders.
De-listing and Squeeze-out are expected to take place in approximately six weeks.
Including valid acceptances received as at 3.00 p.m. (London time) on 15 August 2007, Autogrill currently owns approximately 97,8% of Alpha Airports’ issued share capital.
On 10 August 2007, the European Antitrust Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Alpha by Autogrill, concluding that the proposed transaction does not raise any competition concerns.