Alpha Airports Group - Statement re ALPHA Retail

RNS No 4228c
ALPHA AIRPORTS GROUP PLC
10th August 1998


                      ALPHA AIRPORTS GROUP PLC ("ALPHA")
                                       
                                RETAIL DIVISION

In February, ALPHA announced its intention to dispose of the ALPHA Retail
division in order to focus on its other two airline services divisions -
Catering and Ground Handling.  After conducting an extensive sale process, the
Directors of ALPHA have not received an offer for ALPHA Retail which they
could recommend to shareholders and have therefore decided not to proceed with
the sale of the division.

As reported at the AGM on 25th June 1998, overall ALPHA Retail has continued
to trade in line with our expectations and has secured significant contract
extensions at several of its UK Airports.  However the deepening extent of the
Asian crisis has had an adverse effect on the fortunes of potential trade
buyers of ALPHA Retail, and this was a factor in reducing the level of
interest in the business.

The Directors are pleased to report that the Group has agreed a new long term
#100 million facility with its major bankers.  This will allow ALPHA to
continue to fund the growth of all three divisions, although the growth of our
Catering and Ground Handling businesses in Europe could have been accelerated
with the funds generated from a sale of ALPHA Retail.

Overall, ALPHA has traded in line with expectations.  ALPHA's interim results
will be announced on 1st October.

Kevin Abbott, Chief Executive of ALPHA, said today:

"Clearly we are disappointed that we did not receive an offer for ALPHA Retail
which we could recommend to shareholders.  ALPHA Retail is an attractive and
successful business and its management and staff continue to have the full
support of the Board of ALPHA in their determination to continue to develop
and grow the business."

Enquiries:

Kevin Abbott
ALPHA Airports Group plc           Today:    0171 457 2345
                              Thereafter:    0181 754 7600

Marc Popiolek/Laura Hickman
Gavin Anderson & Company      Tel:           [phone]

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