Press Release

"We are beginning to see closure on the August dispute" - Eric Born

Heathrow, Thursday, December 1, 2005 - Eric Born, managing director of Gate Gourmet UK and Ireland, announced today that the first former Gate Gourmet workers who have signed compromise agreements were beginning to receive voluntary compensation payments in line with the agreement reached with the TGWU in Brighton, on 26th September.

In parallel, Gate Gourmet has made formal offers of re-engagement to a number of other staff.

The workers were dismissed for participating in the illegal wildcat strike in August. The company is not required by law to make any such payments or offers of re-engagement and is doing so voluntarily. The payments and formal offers of re-engagement are happening because Gate Gourmet decided two weeks ago to accelerate the implementation of the agreement.

Eric Born, Managing Director of Gate Gourmet UK & Ireland, said:

"I am pleased we are beginning to bring real closure on this issue for many of those affected. Gate Gourmet never wanted this dispute nor the inevitable hardship for our former employees it has caused.

"Gate Gourmet can only make the payments and, where appropriate, the offers of re-engagement for those who have signed compromise agreements. We urge others to sign these agreements so we can make similar offers, resume a full service and really see genuine closure on the August 10th dispute."

Founded in 1992, Gate Gourmet is the world's largest independent airline catering, hospitality and logistics company with dual headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and Reston, VA, USA. The company has substantially expanded its products and services recently through acquisitions and strategic investments. The portfolio now includes cabin service ware (deSter); comfort/entertainment items (Harmony); packaged food components assembled in central production units (Supplair); design and delivery of brand-linked customer environments (Performa); service staff recruitment and training and crew leasing (Elan); aviation services such as cabin cleaning, aircraft washing and deicing and passenger services (Fernley/IAS); catering security (Gate Safe); business applications (eGate Solutions); and supply chain optimization (partnership with Pourshins).