{"id":190846,"date":"2026-08-06T13:30:49","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T13:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/?p=190846"},"modified":"2026-08-07T11:25:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T11:25:15","slug":"apollo-agrees-to-buy-easyjet-for-7-7-billion-following-castlelakes-withdrawal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/en\/2026\/08\/apollo-agrees-to-buy-easyjet-for-7-7-billion-following-castlelakes-withdrawal.html","title":{"rendered":"Apollo Agrees to Buy easyJet for $7.7 Billion Following Castlelake\u2019s Withdrawal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

US private equity firm Apollo Global Management<\/strong> has reached a definitive agreement to acquire easyJet <\/strong>in a deal valued at approximately \u00a35.7 billion ($7.7 billion). The transaction was consolidated after rival firm Castlelake decided to pull out of the bidding process without publicly disclosing its reasons, having previously submitted five buyout proposals before Apollo entered the race in July with a bid surpassing the prior \u00a35.5 billion offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephen Hester, Non-Executive Chairman of easyJet, stated in an official press release:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

“While we remain confident in the strength of our business and its future opportunities, we believe this offer appropriately recognizes the quality of the company we have built and delivers immediate, certain, and attractive value to shareholders.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The acquisition also carries the explicit backing of Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the airline’s founder, who confirmed in a separate statement that both he and his family members will support the transaction recommended by the executive board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regulatory Hurdle: Complying with European Union Ownership Rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A critical aspect of the deal hinges on strict regulatory requirements established by the European Union (EU). easyJet’s operating licenses and traffic rights within the bloc are contingent upon majority ownership and control remaining in the hands of EU interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2192 EasyJet Expands UK Winter Network with Three New Routes and Resumed Flights to Kosovo<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure compliance with these regulations without compromising the group\u2019s overarching structure, Apollo has engineered a tailored equity framework:<\/p>\n\n\n\n