WEKO approves the acquisition of Edelweiss Air by SWISS
WEKO, the Swiss Competition Commission, has given its green light for
the merger of the two airlines. The authorities have not imposed any
special conditions. Edelweiss Air will continue to operate as an
independent member company of the Swiss Group. Kuoni remains
Edelweiss Air's biggest customer.
The favourable decision taken by the Competition Commission now
permits full implementation of cooperation between Edelweiss Air and
SWISS. Allowing for the necessary organizational system adjustments,
operational completion is scheduled for the end of October 2008. In
February, Kuoni and SWISS announced a strategic partnership. In
addition to the acquisition of Edelweiss Air by SWISS, this also
includes a comprehensive hotel offering by Kuoni on SWISS.COM.
With the consent of the authorities, Edelweiss Air will continue to
operate as an independent airline with unchanged management, its own
fleet and own crew. The three Airbus 320 short haul aircraft and the
Airbus 330-200 for long haul flights will remain in service. Kuoni
Switzerland is still Edelweiss Air's biggest customer and will
continue to offer high quality holiday flights to a wide range of
destinations. All three parties look forward to the new Swiss
partnership which can now be implemented.
For full information please check attached files.
Laurence Bienz
Head of Investor Relations
Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd.
Neue Hard 7
CH-8010 Zurich
Phone +41 44 277 4529
Fax +41 44 277 4031
laurence.bienz@kuoni.com
