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29 June 2007

TUI AG (Thomson in the UK) and First Choice Holidays PLC publish prospectus for planned merger.

TUI AG and First Choice Holidays PLC have today published the prospectus for the planned merger between the Tourism Division of TUI AG - “TUI Tourism” - and First Choice. In addition to detailed information on First Choice, TUI Tourism and the future TUI Travel PLC, the prospectus contains information on the current bookings position of TUI and First Choice.

Trading for the financial year 2007 is in line with the Board’s expectations. Overall demand in the travel market remains strong, with varying levels of growth in demand across TUI Tourism’s source markets. Overall, bookings for the 2007 summer season have started well, with customer numbers up 7.8 per cent, and booked revenues up 2.8 per cent year-on-year, as at 22nd June 2007. The Central Europe Sector, which includes the large German source market, recorded a good increase in bookings, although the Sector’s results are affected by start-up costs in connection with the restructuring of flight operations under the new brand TUIfly.com. Customer numbers and booked revenues have also increased in the Western Europe Sector, although the Northern Europe Sector has experienced a decline year-on-year due to difficult market conditions in the UK and Ireland.

Trading at First Choice Holidays for the financial year 2007 has been in line with the Board’s expectations. For the 2007 Summer season, the Mainstream Holidays Sector has performed in line with management expectations in what remains a challenging market. As at 24 June 2007, revenues were cumulatively up four per cent on volume growth of one per cent.

The Specialist Holidays Sector has had an excellent start to the 2007 Summer season across all its businesses, with sales and volumes as at 24th June 2007 up 18 per cent and 16 per cent respectively on 2006, as a result of increased demand for lifestyle and destination specialist products.

TUI AG will give the next detailed overview of business development with the publication of the quarterly balance sheet on 9 August 2007.

Timetable for the merger into TUI Travel PLC

   * 25th July: Extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of First Choice Holidays PLC.

   * 31st August: Final court hearing.

   * 3rd September: Expected date of completion of the merger, listing and commencement of trading.

4 May 2007

Merger of MyTravel Group plc and Thomas Cook AG cleared by European Commission

The European Commission has today announced its decision to clear the proposed merger of MyTravel Group plc and Thomas Cook AG to form Thomas Cook Group plc.

MyTravel Chief Executive Peter McHugh said: “I am delighted we have received this clearance. This is a significant milestone on the way to completing the merger. The merger is clearly in the best interests of our shareholders and the European Commission Phase I clearance will allow us to accelerate the merger process.”

Manny Fontenla-Novoa, Group CEO of Thomas Cook AG said: “This is a very important development for us in the process of merging these two businesses and we are very pleased that the Commission has decided to clear the transaction. We are now one step closer to being able to deliver the substantial benefits of this merger to all our staff, customers, business partners and shareholders.”

The circular relating to the proposed Scheme of Arrangement of MyTravel (the “Scheme”) by which the merger will be implemented, together with the prospectus for Thomas Cook Group plc (“TCG”) which was published on 30 April, have today been posted to MyTravel shareholders. The circular contains the details of the Scheme and the prospectus contains further information on MyTravel, Thomas Cook and TCG. We have also posted the notice of the MyTravel AGM to be held on 29 May. The merger remains subject to a number of conditions, including the approval of MyTravel shareholders, approval of the Scheme by the court and listing of the TCG shares. If these conditions are satisfied completion of the merger is expected on 19 June 2007.

Timetable

The timetable of principal events is expected to be as follows:
Prospectus and circular posted to MyTravel shareholders 4 May
MyTravel shareholder meetings – Court meeting, EGM and AGM 29 May
Court hearing to sanction the Scheme 18 June
Expected date of de-listing of MyTravel shares and listing of the TCG shares and commencement of dealings in TCG shares 19 June
The circular and the prospectus are available on the MyTravel Group plc website at http://www.mytravelgroup.com.

19 June 2007

Completion of merger between MyTravel and Thomas Cook and results date

Thomas Cook Group plc today confirms the successful completion of the merger between MyTravel Group plc and Thomas Cook AG to create a leading international leisure travel group. Accordingly, with effect from 8.00 a.m. today, the listing of MyTravel shares was cancelled and the ordinary shares in the holding company of the combined group, Thomas Cook Group plc, were admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's market for listed securities.

Thomas Cook Group chairman Dr Thomas Middelhoff said: 'I am delighted that we have been able to complete the merger in just over four months. We will now concentrate on delivering our plans to create additional shareholder value.'

The Group will announce its pro forma interim results for the six months to 30 April 2007 on Wednesday 27 June 2007. A presentation will be made to analysts that morning which will include analysis of the Group's pro forma interim results, commentary on current trading and an update on integration plans.

Note:

MyTravel Group includes Airtours

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