Approval proceedings for the offer for Flughafen Wien AG extended

Airports Group Europe S.à r.l. ("Airports Group Europe" or "Bidder"), an indirect subsidiary of the IFM Global Infrastructure Fund (“IFM GIF”), informs Flughafen Wien AG shareholders that the approval proceedings being undertaken by the Austrian Ministry of Labor and Economy in relation to the voluntary tender offer (“Offer”) proposed by Airports Group Europe for approximately 9.99% of the shares in Flughafen Wien AG is being extended to “Phase II”.

This extension, which was made under the Austrian Investment Control Act and is anticipated to take up to two months, was expected and is common practice when it comes to critical infrastructure assets.

IFM Investors Executive Director Infrastructure Werner Kerschl said:

“We continue to support the process being undertaken by Austrian authorities and we continue to expect that all regulatory approvals will be granted for the Offer. The extension is common practice when it comes to critical infrastructure assets the public relies upon.”

“We remain committed to working with all stakeholders of Flughafen Wien, in the best interests of local communities, passengers, airline customers, employees and the broader Austrian economy.”

“We are aware that there has been significant commentary surrounding the voluntary tender offer for Flughafen Wien. The public attention is understandable given the importance of the airport to Austria and the broader Austrian economy.”

“IFM Investors was founded more than 25 years ago by not-for-profit Australian pension funds in partnership with the Australian Council of Trade Unions with the goal of protecting and growing the retirement savings of working people.”

“Today we invest on behalf of pension funds and other like-minded investors, including from Australia, Europe, the US and Canada that represent over 120 million people globally, such as nurses, teachers, caregivers and construction and hospitality workers.”

“We have always been transparent about the fund structure in relation to the investment in Flughafen Wien, which has not changed since the initial investment in the airport in 2014.”

“We use structures that are commonplace across the global funds management industry with entities domiciled in jurisdictions that are commonly used by the financial sector in Austria, and which are consistent with European Union rules.”

“We do this because we believe working people should not be disadvantaged as investors and we will always do what we can to support working people to maximise their retirement savings.”

With the understanding that the approval proceedings would likely be extended, the Bidder published an amendment to the Offer on 27 September 2022. This amendment provides shareholders, on a contractual basis, a further 10 trading day period to accept the Offer after the extended approval proceedings are concluded and the Offer has become unconditionally binding.

A dedicated website (www.Vienna-Airport-Share-Offer.at) has been set up, where shareholders can find the offer document and its amendment and other relevant information. The offer document and its amendment can also be found on the Flughafen Wien AG website (www.viennaairport.com) and the Takeover Commission website (www.takeover.at).

Download the media release here

For media queries, please contact:

Australia:
Alida Merson
+61 439 773 809 or
media@ifminvestors.com.

Austria:
Mag. Nicole Bäck-Knapp, MSc
Goldeggasse 7/Hoftrakt, 1040 Vienna
Tel.: + 43 1 599 32 47
Mobile: + 43 (0) 699 15909094
Email: N.Baeck@eup.at.

About Airports Group Europe

Airports Group Europe is a limited liability company registered in Luxembourg under B 167449. It is indirect subsidiary of the IFM Global Infrastructure Fund. About IFM GIF IFM Global Infrastructure Fund ("IFM GIF") is an independently managed open-ended global infrastructure investment fund. IFM GIF’s investors include a diverse range of pension funds andinstitutional investors across the UK, Europe, Australia, the US, Canada and Asia.

IFM GIF has a 17-year track record investing in assets around the world with 20 current portfolio investments spanning airports, seaports and toll roads, as well as energy, water and telecommunication assets (as at 30 June 2022).

IFM GIF’s airport experience includes investments in Flughafen Wien Group (Vienna, Malta and Košice airports), Manchester Airports Group (Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports) and Sydney Airport. IFM GIF has been as a major shareholder of Vienna International Airport for the past 8 years.

IFM GIF is advised by IFM Investors Pty Limited ("IFM Investors").

About IFM Investors

IFM Investors was established more than 25 years ago by not-for-profit Australian pension funds, in partnership with the Australian trade union movement, with the aim of protecting and growing the long-term retirement savings of 120 million working people around the world, including caregivers, teachers, construction workers and hospitality workers. IFM Investors is one of the largest global infrastructure investment managers with more than €61 billion (as at 30 June 2022) invested across a range of infrastructure assets.

Throughout the past 8 years, we have dependably supported the strategy and the work of the management of Vienna International Airport and have provided advice based on our international expertise.