US private credit firm Castlelake considers takeover of EasyJet
US private credit firm Castlelake, managing $36bn in assets, has expressed early interest in acquiring UK budget airline EasyJet, potentially taking it private. Castlelake holds a 2.14% stake and has set a minimum offer price of 403.23p per share, valuing EasyJet at roughly £3bn. EasyJet’s board dismissed the bid as “highly opportunistic,” citing depressed share prices due to the Iran war and rising fuel costs. Under UK takeover rules, Castlelake has until June 26 to make a firm offer. EasyJet has hired advisors to mount a defense.
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Castlelake Considers Possible Takeover Offer for easyJet
Castlelake, L.P., a Minneapolis-based investment firm, confirmed it is evaluating a potential takeover bid for British budget airline easyJet, sending its stock up as much as 10%. Castlelake disclosed it already holds 2.14% of easyJet's shares and said any offer would be valued at no less than 403.23 pence per share, implying a total equity of roughly £3.06 billion ($4.12 billion). EasyJet stated it has not received any proposal and is not in talks. Under UK takeover rules, Castlelake must announce a firm intention or withdraw by June 26. Analysts note easyJet's depressed valuation, fleet, slot portfolio at key airports, and holiday division as attractive factors. The broader aviation industry faces higher fuel prices due to the Iran war, though easyJet has no routes into the conflict region.
Yahoo FinanceCastlelake Considers Possible Takeover Offer for easyJet
Castlelake, L.P., a Minneapolis-based investment firm, confirmed it is considering a possible takeover offer for British budget airline easyJet, sending its stock up as much as 10%. Castlelake disclosed it holds 2.14% of easyJet's shares and said any offer would be valued at no less than 403.23 pence per share, implying a total equity of roughly £3.06 billion ($4.12 billion). EasyJet stated it has not received any proposal and is not in talks. Under UK takeover rules, Castlelake must by June 26 either announce a firm intention to make an offer or declare it will not proceed. Analysts note easyJet's depressed valuation, fleet, slot portfolio, and holiday division as attractive assets, though the airline has struggled post-pandemic. The broader aviation industry faces pressure from higher fuel prices due to the Iran war, though easyJet has no routes into the affected region.
Yahoo FinanceEasyJet Prepares Defenses Against Castlelake Takeover Bid
EasyJet has mounted a vigorous defense after US private credit firm Castlelake disclosed it is evaluating a takeover bid valuing the airline at a minimum of £3.06 billion. Castlelake, which manages £27 billion in assets, quietly accumulated a 2.14% stake and floated an initial price floor of 403.23p per share, sending EasyJet shares up 12%. EasyJet's board called the bid highly opportunistic, noting the stock has been artificially depressed by the Iran war and soaring fuel costs. The airline has hired veteran dealmakers from Evercore and corporate brokers BNP Paribas and Panmure Liberum to build a defense. Under UK takeover rules, Castlelake has until June 26 to make a firm offer or walk away. EasyJet argues its investment-grade balance sheet, net cash position, growing holidays business, and fleet modernization program position it for recovery, with potential to deliver over £1 billion in pre-tax profit once market conditions normalize.
Yahoo FinanceEasyJet Stock Jumps on Potential $4 Billion-Plus Takeover Offer from Castlelake
Shares of British discount airline EasyJet surged 10% on June 1, 2026, after investment firm Castlelake announced it was considering a takeover offer valuing the carrier at a minimum of $4 billion. The bid comes amid significant turmoil in Europe's airline industry, triggered by the Iran war and a subsequent spike in jet fuel prices. Higher airfares and concerns over potential fuel shortages have dampened travel demand. EasyJet dismissed the approach as 'highly opportunistic,' but the market reacted positively to the prospect of a deal. The potential acquisition highlights how geopolitical conflict and rising costs are reshaping the aviation sector, attracting interest from U.S. investors despite the challenging environment.
Yahoo FinanceEasyjet attracts takeover interest from US private credit firm Castlelake
US private credit firm Castlelake has expressed early-stage interest in acquiring budget airline Easyjet, potentially taking the UK-listed company private. Castlelake, majority-owned by Brookfield Asset Management and managing $36bn in assets, has not yet approached Easyjet's board. Under UK takeover rules, it faces a June 26 deadline to make a firm bid. Easyjet's share price has fallen over a third in the past year, giving it a market value of roughly £3bn. The airline is also facing headwinds from rising jet fuel prices due to geopolitical tensions, including US strikes on Gulf oil fields and Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Easyjet reported a widening loss of £540-560m for the six months to March, compared to £394m a year earlier.
City AMEasyjet attracts takeover interest from US private credit firm Castlelake
US private credit firm Castlelake, majority-owned by Brookfield Asset Management, has expressed early-stage interest in acquiring budget airline Easyjet. Castlelake stated it is considering a possible offer but has not yet approached Easyjet's board, and cautioned there is no certainty a bid will materialize. Under UK takeover rules, Castlelake has until June 26 to make a firm offer or walk away. Easyjet, based in Luton, has seen its share price decline by over a third in the past year and more than half over five years, closing at 398p with a market value of roughly £3bn. The airline faces headwinds including rising jet fuel prices after US strikes on Gulf oil fields and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces. Easyjet reported a projected loss of £540m to £560m for the six months to March, wider than the £394m loss a year earlier. Castlelake, with $36bn in assets under management, has significant aviation industry exposure, including leasing planes to Delta and Qatar Airways and a past stake in SAS.
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