Sun Microsystems, Inc. and Athens International Airport S.A. (AIA) today announce an agreement to provide joint technical solutions to airports across the globe in need of a long-term fix for too much growth too fast. For the past five years and running Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW), AIA has an award-winning success in the aviation industry and is a major state-of-the-art travel hub for South- Eastern Europe, handling successfully the 2004 Olympic Games.


Sun and AIA are taking their expertise to other airports across the globe, providing consulting services and IT solutions to help modernize infrastructure and business processes. Specifically, AIA will offer business, process consulting and system integration services, and as AIA's trusted technology partner, Sun will design the scalable and flexible infrastructure. Additionally, the two firms will participate in joint marketing efforts to promote this service, such as working with industry standards organization, participating in industry events and holding training sessions. From design to implementation, the joint service offerings target new airport developments and/or airports looking to significantly "scale-up" their operation to prepare for expected growth while addressing immediate logistics issues.


"Sun is important in helping ensure that airport's systems are available and accessible from all areas of their facility, 24/7," said Alfred van der Meer, CEO, AIA. "At AIA we are committed to technology innovation and the operational and service excellence of our Airport. We are equally pleased to be embarking upon this business venture for airports worldwide."


According to Airports Council International (ACI), passenger traffic is set to double by 2020, and according to the Boeing Commercial Airplanes report1, airline passenger traffic is forecast to grow at an annualized rate of 4.8 %; worldwide fleet will reach 35,300 aircraft in 2024, more than double the current statistics. Freighter fleet will also double from 1,760 to 3,530 airplanes. Passengers will avoid itineraries that involve multiple hubs connections in a journey. Without modernization, these airports are forecasted to bottleneck passengers and bags, costing airports millions, perhaps billions, in losses.


"The success of AIA will be expanded throughout the world as our customers are embracing Sun's innovations to improve business efficiency," said Yanni Kalajakis, Vice President, transportation and travel, Sun Microsystems. "Travel and transportation customers are leveraging our industry solutions."


Additional background


Since the Airport opening date in March 2001, a new IT&T facility has been created with enhanced operational efficiency including revenue management, flight information and crew planning and management. The Sun servers together with the Solaris [TM] Operating System are the heart of the new network infrastructure, providing the computer power, reliability and scalability for all logistical operations to meet AIA's goals far into the future. The marriage of AIA and Sun on this large scale technology infrastructure delivers increased business efficiencies, which currently processes 14.3 million passengers per year.


A significant test of this new infrastructure was its successful facilitation of passenger services during Greece's hosting of the 2004 Olympics, which drove an increase of average per passenger (PAX) of 3.2 bags and resulted in a total of almost 360,000 bags handled, 66,000 alone on the peak departure day.


Since the start of the operation of the new Athens International Airport, AIA has received continual recognition and awards from business, government and standards bodies alike, including AETRA awards for Overall Passenger Satisfaction, ACI Best Airport Award, ITM's European Airport of the Year award, and the 2005 Aerospace Industry Award for "Infrastructure & Environment." The airport is committed to operational and service excellence, making their Information Technology & Telecommunications Operational Unit (IT&T) and their commitment to Sun technologies an integral part of their business strategy.


Go to http://www.sun.com/transportation for more information.


About Athens International Airport S.A. (AIA)


AIA is considered a pioneer international Public-Private Partnership of its type in the world, being the first major greenfield airport constructed with the participation of the private sector. 'Athens International Airport S.A.' is the company responsible for the operation, management and development of the airport for a 30-year concession period initiated in 1996. 'Athens International Airport S.A.' is a privately managed company, with the Greek State holding 55% of shares, while the private shareholders collectively hold 45%. Go to http://www.aia.gr for more information.


About Sun Microsystems, Inc.


A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer" -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com.


Press Contacts


Aaron Cohen


Sun Microsystems, Inc.


Global Communications


503-715-3514


aaron.cohen@sun.com


Marina Papageorgiou


Head, Press Office


Athens International Airport S.A.


tel.: +30 210 35 37 227 / +30 210 35 36 360


fax: +30 210 35 37 838


mob.: +30 6944 961243