Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 10
Apollo Bids £5.7 Billion for EasyJet as It Nears Record Acquisition Year
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 10

Apollo Bids £5.7 Billion for EasyJet as It Nears Record Acquisition Year

2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 10

Summary

  • Apollo accelerated its 2026 dealmaking Friday by entering the race for EasyJet with a £5.7 billion ($7.7 billion) offer, putting the UK budget airline at the center of a bidding contest.
  • £7.15 a share from Apollo tops Castlelake’s earlier £6.90 bid, and EasyJet had already agreed in principle to Apollo’s superior proposal and withdrawn support for Castlelake.
  • Apollo’s push for EasyJet comes as the firm approaches a record year for acquisitions, standing out while many private equity rivals still struggle to put capital to work.
  • The bid adds to a broader buying spree that also includes Bayer-related deal activity, underscoring Apollo’s aggressive deployment strategy in a tougher market for peers.

Insights

Can a US firm overcome strict EU laws to take control of a major European airline?
Is EasyJet a deeply undervalued asset or a high-risk gamble in a volatile market?
With founder Stelios silent, could his brand rights and 15% stake upend Apollo's takeover?