Apollo to buy easyJet for 5.7 billion after rival bidder withdraws
Apollo Global Management will acquire British low-cost airline easyJet for £5.7 billion ($7.7 billion) after rival bidder Castlelake withdrew its offer, both companies confirmed on Thursday.
The deal values easyJet at 715 pence per share in cash, a 54% premium to its closing price on Feb. 27, the last trading day before the Middle East conflict escalated. EasyJet’s board unanimously recommended shareholders approve the proposal, which will take the airline private after more than 25 years on the London Stock Exchange.
Castlelake, a U.S. private equity firm and major lender to airlines, announced it would not submit a formal bid after months of competition. The company had previously tabled five offers, the highest at 690 pence per share, but abandoned the pursuit on Thursday. Under U.K. takeover rules, Castlelake is now barred from revisiting a bid unless easyJet’s board invites it, a third party makes a firm offer, or material circumstances change.
The Haji-Ioannou family, easyJet’s founder and largest shareholder with a 15.3% stake, publicly backed Apollo’s offer. “After careful consideration of Apollo’s proposal, my family and I have decided to support the board-recommended takeover,” founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou said in a statement.
EasyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis said the board welcomed Apollo’s commitment to the business and its employees. “We believe that its experience in the aviation sector makes it a strong partner for easyJet as we accelerate our growth plans,” Jarvis said. Alex van Hoek, Apollo’s European private equity lead, called easyJet “a leader in European aviation” with a “differentiated market position.”
The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, pending regulatory approvals and shareholder votes. Apollo, which has invested in airlines including Aeroméxico and Sun Country Airlines, said it would take necessary steps to comply with European ownership rules requiring majority control by EU shareholders.
EasyJet’s shares rose about 3.1% in London trading on Thursday after Castlelake’s withdrawal, though they had earlier fallen more than 6% before rebounding. The airline reported a 70% drop in pre-tax profit to £85 million in its third fiscal quarter, citing rising fuel costs amid the Middle East conflict.
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Articles
Apollo avança para compra da Easyjet por 6,6 mil milhões A Apollo avançou com uma oferta de compra da Easyjet por cerca de 6,6 mil milhões de euros. A outra candidata, a Castlelake, não foi a jogo.
observador · about 2 hours ago
Apollo: Εξαγοράζει την easyJet έναντι 5,7 δισ. λιρών με τη στήριξη της οικογένειας Χατζηιωάννου Η αποχώρηση της Castlelake άνοιξε τον δρόμο για την ολοκλήρωση της συμφωνίας, με την οικογένεια Χατζηιωάννου να δηλώνει ότι θα παραμείνει μακροπρόθεσμος μέτοχος στη νέα ιδιωτική easyJet
protothema · about 2 hours ago
Amerikai cég vásárolja fel az egyik legnagyobb európai fapados légitársaságot, az EasyJetet Az ügylet várhatóan 2027 első negyedévében zárulhat le.
444.hu · about 2 hours ago
Laméricain Apollo confirme son rachat dEasyJet pour 5,7 milliards de livres Le fonds américain Apollo a confirmé jeudi son offre de rachat à 5,7 milliards de livres (6,7 milliards deuros) sur EasyJet, une proposition acceptée par le conseil dadmnistration de la compagnie aérienne britannique, ont annoncé les deux entreprises dans un communiqué. ...
la libre · about 2 hours ago
Apollo comprará easyJet tras retirarse Castlelake de la puja El fondo de inversión estadounidense Castlelake ha confirmado oficialmente que, tras un análisis exhaustivo de la operación, no tiene intención de formular una oferta pública de adquisición (OPA) sobre easyJet, lo que deja vía libre a Apollo para hacerse con el control de la compañía. Leer
expansion · about 2 hours ago
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rtl nieuws · about 2 hours ago
Apollo agrees to buy UK airline EasyJet in $7.7 billion deal as Castlelake withdraws EasyJet shares tumbled Thursday after Castlelake said it would not be bidding for the U.K. airline.
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bluesky_The Times · about 2 hours ago
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handelsblatt · about 2 hours ago
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die zeit · about 2 hours ago
El fondo estadounidense Apollo triunfa en la puja por EasyJet con una oferta de 7.700 millones de dólares La aerolínea británica acepta la oferta tras la retirada de la puja del fondo rival Castlelake Leer
elmundo · about 2 hours ago
EasyJet agrees to £5.7bn Apollo takeover as Castlelake backs away Two US private capital groups had vied to buy low-cost carrier in months-long battle
financial times · about 2 hours ago
EasyJet confirms takeover by US private equity firm Apollo The British low-cost airline confirmed the £5.7 billion sale. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of next year, it added.
le monde · about 2 hours ago
Apollo to take easyJet private in $7.7 billion deal reut.rs/4wITdhp
bluesky_Reuters · about 2 hours ago
Stelios Haji-Ioannou backs Apollos proposed takeover of easyJet Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said he and his family will support Apollos proposed acquisition of easyJet and intend to remain shareholders in the private company that would be created if the airline is delisted from the London Stock Exchange. In a statement, Haji-Ioannou said the decision followed careful consideration of Apollos proposal, which was announced by […]
in-cyprus · about 2 hours ago
La compagnia EasyJet acquisita dal fondo statunitense Apollo per 6,6 miliardi di euro EasyJet passa nelle mani del fondo statunitense Apollo. La compagnia aerea low cost ha confermato lacquisizione per 5,7 miliardi di sterline, pari a circa 6,6 miliardi di euro, dopo il ritiro del fondo rivale Castlelake, che aveva presentato unofferta di poco superiore ai 5 miliardi di sterline ma ha deciso di non rilanciare. I consigli […] Larticolo La compagnia EasyJet acquisita dal fondo statunitense Apollo per 6,6 miliardi di euro proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.
il fatto quotidiano · about 2 hours ago
Le fonds Apollo confirme son rachat de la compagnie aérienne low-cost easyJet pour 6,7 milliards deuros La compagnie britannique a vu ses profits seffondrer lors de son troisième trimestre décalé dans un contexte compliqué pour les compagnies à bas coûts, qui prennent de plein fouet lenvolée des prix du kérosène avec la guerre au Moyen-Orient.
le monde · about 2 hours ago
Americký fond Apollo kupuje EasyJet za 5,7 miliardy libier. Britské nízkonákladové aerolínie menia majiteľa Americký fond Apollo preberá nízkonákladové aerolínie EasyJet v obchode za 5,7 miliardy libier. Castlelake z boja o kontrolu nad dopravcom ustúpil.
aktuality.sk · about 2 hours ago