AAP Alpha Airports

RNS Number:5739H
Alpha Airports Group PLC
26 July 2001






ALPHA AIRPORTS GROUP PLC

                                TRADING UPDATE





Ahead of our close period, the ALPHA Airports Group Board reports that trading
in the first half period ending July 2001 has been in line with expectations,
with ongoing profit improvement in ALPHA's Flight Services business coupled
with continuing sales growth and profit recovery in UK Retail.


In line with our "protect and grow" strategy, ALPHA is pleased to announce a
major expansion of our UK Duty and Tax Free Retail operations at Manchester
Airport.  ALPHA has provided Duty and Tax Free retail services at Manchester's
Terminal 1 for the past 19 years.  Last year, we were awarded a 7 year
contract extension in Terminal 1, where we have invested #2m in an excellent
new shop which opened in April.  ALPHA has now been awarded Duty and Tax Free
concessions from January 2002 for both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.  ALPHA will
thus become Manchester's exclusive Duty and Tax Free retailer for liquor,
tobacco and perfume.  ALPHA is planning a #2.8m investment in new shops early
in 2002, with anticipated additional sales during the 5 year contract period
of some #35m per annum.



Commenting on this major contract award Kevin Abbott, Chief Executive,
commented:



"We are delighted to have been selected as Manchester Airport's retail
partner, and to be awarded this major contract.  With their own exciting plans
for passenger growth, ALPHA Retail's scale and growth potential is enormously
enhanced."











Enquiries:

ALPHA Airports Group Plc

Kevin Abbott, Chief Executive)
Heather McRae, Finance Director)          Tel: 020 8580 3200

Gavin Anderson & Company
Laura Hickman, Amelia Hine                Tel: 020 7457 2345




Website: www.alpha-group.com

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