AAP Alpha Airports

RNS Number:8663G
Alpha Airports Group PLC
31 January 2003





                                                                 31 January 2003



                              ALPHA AIRPORTS GROUP PLC

                 PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE AND BOARD APPOINTMENT



In keeping with its normal practice, ALPHA Airports Group Plc ("Alpha") is
pleased to provide the following update on trading ahead of its close period.
Alpha plans to report results for the 52 weeks to 31 January 2003 on 27 March
2003.



Trading in the second half of the 2002/3 year ended 31 January has been in line
with expectations.



In our Flight Services division, traditional flight catering for scheduled and
charter airline customers has remained subdued, as expected.  Conversely,
Inflight Retailing, providing onboard retail services for low-cost and charter
airline passengers, has enjoyed further growth.



In our Retail Services division, UK Retail has continued to benefit from an
ongoing growth in regional airport passenger numbers, driven by the low-cost
airlines, with year to date Duty and Tax Free sales up more than 11% on a
like-for-like basis.  In Sri Lanka, we have enjoyed a recovery in passenger
arrivals and hence sales.



The  Board is also delighted to announce the promotion of David King to the
Board with effect from 1st February 2003.  David King is responsible for ALPHA's
UK Airport Shopping (tax and duty free) and Retail Catering businesses.  Prior
to joining ALPHA in 1999, David King was responsible for all aspects of land and
onboard retailing with Sea Containers Hoverspeed Ltd.  He previously held senior
positions within the retail catering divisions of Bass Taverns, Allied Lyons and
Gibbs Mew.





Enquiries:


ALPHA Airports Group Plc

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

Gavin Anderson & Company

Laura Hickman                                         Tel: 020 7554 1400
Amelia Hine



www.alpha-group.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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