VIRGIN AUSTRALIA COMPLETES THE ACQUISITION OF SKYWEST

Virgin Australia Holdings Limited (Virgin Australia) is pleased to announce today that it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital in Skywest Airlines Ltd (Skywest, ASX: SXR, LSE:SKYW), through a scheme of arrangement (the Scheme) governed by the laws of Singapore. Following the filing of the order of the High Court of Singapore sanctioning the Scheme with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore today, the Scheme has today become effective and binding.

Completion of the acquisition announced on 30 October 2012 provides Virgin Australia with the assets and capabilities to fast-track its advancement into the growth fly-in-fly-out and regional markets.

Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer John Borghetti said: “We are very pleased to have completed the transaction and to now be able to bring the Skywest business into the Virgin Australia Group.

“This acquisition gives Virgin Australia the ability to increase competition in these important market segments, which in turn will benefit jobs and tourism, especially in growing regional markets including Western Australia.” Mr Borghetti said.

Virgin Australia highlights the following dates in relation to settlement of the Scheme:
Date of removal of Skywest from the official list of the ASX
Date of cancellation of trading of the admission of Skywest Shares trading on AIM
Commencement of deferred trading of VAH Consideration Shares on ASX Date for payment of Scheme Cash and Securities Consideration