EasyJet Agrees to £5.2 Billion Takeover, Going Private Under Castlelake

EasyJet's board accepted a £6.90-per-share offer from Minneapolis-based Castlelake on 5 July 2026, valuing Britain's largest low-cost carrier at £5.2 billion. The deal takes the FTSE 250 airline private after a seven-week bidding contest in which Castlelake raised its initial 560p bid by 23%. Castlelake has until 3 August 2026 to lodge a firm offer under UK Takeover Code rules; EU aviation ownership rules will likely require regulatory scrutiny before closing.