easyJet set to leave the London Stock Exchange after £5.7bn takeover agreement

easyJet has agreed to a £5.7 billion takeover by US private equity firm Apollo Global Management after rival bidder Castlelake withdrew from the process. The agreed cash offer values the airline at £7.15 per share and has the backing of the easyJet board, with the transaction still subject to shareholder approval and regulatory clearances.

The proposed deal is expected to see easyJet become a privately owned company, ending its time as a London-listed airline. Apollo has said it intends to support the carrier’s existing growth strategy, including fleet modernisation, expansion of its holidays business and continued investment in customer services, while preserving the airline’s UK and EU operating structure to comply with European ownership rules.

If completed, the acquisition would rank among the largest deals ever seen in the European airline sector and marks another significant shift in aviation ownership at a time when airlines continue to balance strong passenger demand with rising operating costs and long aircraft delivery lead times. The transaction is currently expected to complete by the end of March 2027, subject to the remaining approvals.

A major milestone for one of Europe’s best known low cost airlines, with the industry’s attention now turning to the regulatory process and what private ownership could mean for easyJet’s future.

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