4th Aug 2006 10:00
easyJet PLC04 August 2006 4th August 2006 EASYJET EVALUATES FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY easyJet announces today that it is evaluating an opportunity to franchise itsbrand following a recent joint approach by Jeddah based National Air Services(NAS) and Dubai based Abraaj Capital, a major private equity firm in the MiddleEast, to use the easyJet name in the Arabian Gulf. NAS is applying for a licenceto operate domestic flights initially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and at alater date other flights within the Arabian Gulf - a region with minimallow-cost airline penetration. The decision on whether to progress with this opportunity, which will notinvolve easyJet investing any equity or cash, will be made in conjunction withNAS and will depend on the progress of its application for a licence, thecompletion of an agreement in a form satisfactory to the Board of easyJet, andthe delivery of significant shareholder value. Since it is expected that thiswill take the remainder of 2006, a decision in relation to this opportunity isunlikely before early 2007. END For further details please contact: easyJet plc Financial:Julia Collins, Investor Relations +44 (0) 1582 525 258Andrew Barker, Investor Relations +44 (0) 1582 525 982 Press:Toby Nicol, Corporate Communications +44 (0) 1582 525 339 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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