US investment fund Apollo buys European aviation giant EasyJet.

US-based Apollo Global Management has reached an agreement to acquire the British low-cost airline EasyJet for £5.7 billion (approximately €6.7 billion). The deal, announced on August 6, 2026, represents a premium of approximately 81% over the share closing price on May 28 (£3.94)—the last trading day before Castlelake's interest became public.

Apollo’s all-cash offer of £7.15 per share surpassed the proposal from rival Castlelake (£5.5 billion). The latter withdrew from the race after months of bidding, clearing the way for the US fund. EasyJet’s board of directors and its founder and major shareholder, Stelios Haji-Ioannou (whose family holds about 15% of the equity), have backed the deal. Haji-Ioannou and his family intend to remain long-term investors under the new ownership structure.

EasyJet is one of the largest operators in Portugal, holding a prominent position at most of the country's airports. Apollo—which manages approximately $1.05 billion in assets and has prior experience in the aviation sector (including stakes in Aeroméxico, Sun Country Airlines, and Atlas Air)—states that it aims to accelerate the airline's growth, particularly in the holiday travel segment, with no job cuts planned for the first 12 months following the deal's completion.