2014-08-07 08:00:37 CEST

2014-08-07 08:00:38 CEST


REGULATED INFORMATION

English
Finnair Oyj - Company Announcement

Finnair Travel Retail to sell its airport shop operations to World Duty Free Group


Finnair subsidiary Finnair Travel Retail has signed an agreement on the sale of
its shops at Helsinki Airport to World Duty Free Group. The transaction is
expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The transaction will have a positive impact of approximately 13 million euros on
Finnair's 2014 result before taxes. With the transaction, approximately 60 of
Finnair Travel Retail's employees will transfer to World Duty Free Helsinki Ltd.
as existing employees.

“This transaction is a part of Finnair's restructuring program in which Finnair
aims to focus on its core airline business”, says Finnair's Chief Commercial
Officer Allister Paterson. “World Duty Free is a global actor in the tax-free
sales business, and airport sales are at the core of their business. We also
believe World Duty Free Group offers a good home for the competent and
experienced team transferring from Finnair. ”

Finnair Travel Retail Ltd. has operated the Finnair Tax-Free Shop and the
Arrival Shop at Helsinki Airport. In addition, the company operates in-flight
and pre-order sales on Finnair flights. Finnair Travel Retail employs
approximately 70 employees in total. The transaction between Finnair Travel
Retail and World Duty Free Group covers only the airport retail function.

In November 2013 World Duty Free Group signed a long-term agreement with Finavia
to operate 11 stores at Helsinki Airport. World Duty Free Group has an extensive
international experience from retail and tax-free sales in airports. The company
operates in over 100 airports in 21 countries. The Group's parent company is
listed on the Milan Stock Exchange.
FINNAIR PLC
Further information:
Finnair communications, 358 9 818 4020, comms(a)finnair.com

Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Principal media