✈️ EasyJet lands £5.7bn Apollo takeover

Sun Sep 06 2026 12:50:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

British low‑cost carrier EasyJet agrees to be bought by Apollo for £5.7bn, ending a bidding war with competitor Castlelake.

EasyJet has accepted a £5.7 billion buy‑out from US investment firm Apollo after rival Castlelake withdrew from a bidding battle. With an offer of £7.15 per share, shareholders will see a profitable exit. The airline, which flies around 1,200 routes across 35 European countries and employs over 19,000 people, now heads into a new chapter. Founder Sir Stelios Haji‑Ioannou will stay as a long‑term shareholder, while Apollo promises to boost growth and enhance the airline’s strategy. CEO Kenton Jarvis welcomes the partnership, noting Apollo’s aviation experience as a strong complement to EasyJet's goals.

EasyJet, the no‑frills airline that started in 1995, has just signed a £5.7 billion takeover by US investment firm Apollo.

Apollos offer followed a withdrawal by rival Castlelake, so each EasyJet share will fetch £7.15 on the sale.

The deal puts a lid on a round of bidding that threatened to shake up the airline, which flies about 1,200 routes across 35 European countries and employs over 19,000 people.

Founder Sir Stelios Haji‑Ioannou, who still holds 15% of the company, said he would stay invested and back Apollo’s growth plans for EasyJet.

Apollos senior partner Alex van Hoek praised EasyJet’s market position and highlighted opportunities to accelerate the group’s ambitions, while CEO Kenton Jarvis welcomed the partnership, noting Apollo’s aviation expertise as a strong complement to the airline’s goals.