British low-cost airline easyJet confirmed Thursday that U.S. private-equity firm Apollo Global Management will acquire the company in a multi-billion dollar deal [1, 2].
The acquisition marks a significant shift in ownership for one of Europe's largest budget carriers, signaling a move toward private equity control in the volatile aviation sector.
The takeover bid is valued at approximately €6.6 billion [3], which is roughly £5.7 billion or $7.7 billion [2, 4]. The deal follows a period of market instability for the airline, as shares tumbled on Thursday after another bidder, Castlelake, withdrew from the process [5].
Apollo Global Management, based in the United States, intends to take the UK-based carrier private. The companies expect the transaction to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027 [4].
This move comes as the aviation industry continues to navigate fluctuating fuel costs, and shifting consumer demand across Europe. The transition from a public company to a private-equity-owned entity allows the airline to restructure away from the immediate pressure of quarterly public earnings reports, a common strategy for firms under Apollo's management.
“The takeover bid is valued at approximately €6.6 billion”
The acquisition of easyJet by Apollo Global Management reflects a broader trend of private equity firms targeting established infrastructure and transport assets during periods of market correction. By taking the airline private, Apollo can implement long-term operational changes and cost-cutting measures without the scrutiny of public shareholders, though this often leads to aggressive restructuring of debt and assets.
