Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
EasyJet shareholders approve £5.7bn takeover by Apollo
EasyJet shareholders approved Apollo’s £5.7bn takeover at a meeting on Wednesday, with 97.07% voting in favour.
The airline is based in Luton, England, and Apollo is a US investment group.
The deal gives Apollo control of the airline under an offer of 715p per share.
EasyJet was founded in 1995 as a low-cost alternative to British Airways and has grown into one of Europe’s largest airline networks.
The takeover will end easyJet’s 26 years on the London Stock Exchange and put it under US ownership.
Its founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and his family, who own just over 15% of the company, support the deal.
The takeover is expected to complete by the end of March next year.
EasyJet shareholders approved a £5.7 billion takeover by US investment group Apollo.
The company said 97.07% of shares included in the takeover vote were cast in favour and 2.93% against.
EasyJet aims to complete the deal by the end of March 2027, subject to regulatory issues.
The takeover would take the airline off the London Stock Exchange and into private ownership.
EasyJet’s European Works Council has warned that the new ownership structure could weaken the airline and expose employees to risks.
- Who
- EasyJet shareholders approved the takeover by US investment group Apollo.
- What
- Apollo is acquiring easyJet in a deal valued at £5.7 billion.
- When
- Shareholders voted on 11 November 2026. Completion is planned by the end of March 2027.
- Where
- The vote was at a shareholders’ meeting; the company is based in Luton and listed in London.
- Why
- Not stated.
EasyJet shareholders supporting the deal
EasyJet European Works Council
Deal approval
EasyJet shareholders supporting the deal
97.07% of shares included in the takeover vote were cast in favour.
EasyJet European Works Council
The council has raised concerns about the acquisition’s structure.
Potential effects
EasyJet shareholders supporting the deal
Not stated.
EasyJet European Works Council
The council warned the new ownership could weaken the airline and expose employees to risks it considers inadequately addressed.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou founded easyJet as a low-cost alternative to British Airways.
EasyJet listed on the London Stock Exchange.
EasyJet’s board agreed to Apollo’s offer of 715p a share, and Castlelake walked away from the bidding.
Shareholders approved the takeover, with 97.07% of shares included in the vote in favour.
EasyJet aims to complete the transaction.
- Takeover value
- £5.7 billion
- Buyer
- Apollo, a US investment group
- Vote in favour
- 97.07% of shares included in the takeover vote
- Vote against
- 2.93% of shares included in the takeover vote
- Offer price
- 715p a share
- Planned completion
- By the end of March 2027