- Shareholders of low-cost carrier EasyJet have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a £5.7 billion acquisition by US private equity firm Apollo Global Management.
- The formal investor meeting on Wednesday resulted in a 97.07% approval rate for the buyout offer of 715p per share.
- The transaction is on track to reach final completion by the end of March next year, pending standard regulatory clearances.
- The successful buyout brings an end to EasyJet’s more than 26-year presence as a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, transitioning the airline into US private ownership.
- Apollo triumphed in a competitive takeover battle after rival US investment firm Castlelake withdrew its competing £5.5 billion (690p per share) proposal in August.
- Founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family, who collectively retain a stake of just over 15% in the carrier, backed the transaction.
- Concurrently, the airline is reportedly consulting on proposed restructuring measures that could see approximately 50 head office positions eliminated from its 2,300-strong administrative workforce.
London (The Londoner News) November 11, 2026 – EasyJet has moved a significant step closer to private US ownership after company shareholders overwhelmingly approved a £5.7 billion takeover bid from private equity firm Apollo. During an investor meeting held on Wednesday, 97.07% of voting shareholders endorsed Apollo’s offer of 715p per share, concluding a competitive bidding contest that previously involved US rival Castlelake. The landmark transaction will officially terminate EasyJet’s 26-year tenure on the London Stock Exchange upon its expected completion by the end of March next year. While founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family backed the buyout, the carrier is simultaneously navigating internal restructuring consultations that could impact dozens of head office roles.
According to corporate announcements published by financial news agencies tracking the aviation sector, the extraordinary general meeting secured near-unanimous backing from investors.
As reported by aviation industry correspondents covering the corporate restructuring, EasyJet executives confirmed that exactly 97.07% of participating shareholders voted to accept the lucrative 715p-a-share acquisition terms tabled by Apollo Global Management.
Providing context on the competitive dynamics leading up to the vote, corporate analysts noted that Apollo secured the acquisition after outmanoeuvring rival US investment group Castlelake. As reported by financial market reporters, Castlelake had previously submitted a rival proposal valued at £5.5 billion, equivalent to 690p per share, before formally walking away from the bidding contest in August.
Furthermore, corporate governance disclosures highlighted that founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family—who maintain a significant shareholding of just over 15% in the low-cost airline—chose to support the transaction.
Alongside the privatization process, labor and employment developments have emerged. According to corporate updates cited by transport journalists, the low-cost carrier is currently engaged in consultation procedures regarding proposed operational changes that could result in approximately 50 head office redundancies out of a total administrative workforce of roughly 2,300 employees.
How Did EasyJet Evolve from Its 1995 Founding to a £5.7bn Acquisition?
The transition of EasyJet into private US equity ownership marks a historic turning point for one of Europe’s most recognizable aviation brands.
- Founding and Expansion: EasyJet was established in 1995 by entrepreneur Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, modelled after American low-cost pioneers to offer affordable point-to-point air travel across the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
- Public Market Milestone: The carrier floated on the London Stock Exchange, spending more than 26 years as a publicly listed entity and growing into one of the largest short-haul aviation networks in Europe.
- Diversified Portfolio Integration: Under Apollo—which also holds ownership of major hospitality groups such as The Restaurant Group, the operator of Wagamama—EasyJet will operate within a vast private investment portfolio spanning consumer, travel, and dining sectors.
What Are the Financial and Structural Terms of the Apollo Buyout?
A detailed breakdown of the transaction illustrates the valuation metrics and competitive milestones that defined the takeover process:
| Transaction Parameter | Details and Financial Metrics | Strategic Implications |
| Acquiring Entity | Apollo Global Management (US Private Equity) | Brings extensive capital resources and consumer sector experience. |
| Acquisition Valuation | £5.7 billion total enterprise value (715p per share) | Represents a substantial premium, securing 97.07% shareholder approval. |
| Previous Rival Bid | Castlelake (£5.5 billion / 690p per share) | Withdrew in August, leaving Apollo uncontested in the final bidding round. |
| Stock Market Status | London Stock Exchange (LSE) | Terminates 26 years of public listing upon completion by March next year. |
| Internal Workforce | ~50 head office roles under consultation | Potential restructuring within the 2,300-strong administrative team. |
Background of the Particular Development After the News
The acquisition of EasyJet by Apollo reflects a broader macroeconomic trend across European equity markets, where well-capitalised private equity firms have aggressively targeted undervalued public companies. Despite posting strong post-pandemic recovery numbers and maintaining robust passenger load factors, European airlines have frequently faced depressed share valuations on public exchanges due to lingering fuel cost volatility, geopolitical uncertainties, and European air traffic control bottlenecks.
For EasyJet, entering private ownership under Apollo provides relief from the relentless short-term earnings scrutiny of public markets. Apollo, known for its deep investments in consumer-facing enterprises and leisure brands, aims to leverage operational synergies—potentially connecting EasyJet’s passenger base with its broader hospitality holdings, such as Wagamama and restaurant operations. However, the move also removes a British aviation staple from domestic stock indices, continuing a worrying trend of major corporate departures from the London Stock Exchange.
How This Development Can Affect EasyJet Passengers, Airline Employees, and European Aviation Competitors
The completion of the £5.7 billion Apollo takeover by March next year will introduce significant structural and operational changes across the European aviation landscape:
1. EasyJet Passengers and Ticket Pricing Structures
For millions of leisure and business passengers relying on EasyJet’s extensive short-haul network, private equity ownership is unlikely to alter immediate day-to-day flight schedules or branding. However, private equity stewardship often places heightened emphasis on ancillary revenue optimisation and operational efficiency, which could influence baggage fees, seat selection pricing, and onboard service offerings over the medium term.
2. Administrative Staff and Corporate Employees
For EasyJet’s corporate and head office personnel based in Luton, the ongoing consultations regarding approximately 50 role eliminations highlight the immediate human cost of private equity restructuring. While frontline flight crew and operational staff are largely insulated from corporate-level headcount trims, administrative departments will face tightened cost controls and streamlined management reporting under Apollo’s oversight.
3. European Low-Cost Competitors (Ryanair, Wizz Air, and IAG)
For rival budget carriers operating across European airspace—such as Ryanair and Wizz Air—the removal of EasyJet from public markets shifts the competitive dynamic. Unburdened by public shareholder earnings calls, Apollo-backed EasyJet may pursue aggressive long-term capital investments, fleet modernization, and strategic route expansion that could intensify fare competition across key European hubs.
