Apollo's easyJet buyout faces union pushback ahead of first quarter 2027 close
EZJ•Unions oppose Apollo’s £5.7 billion ($7.5 billion) takeover of easyJet, which the airline says remains on track to complete before the end of the first quarter of 2027.
1. Union opposition
EasyJet said unions across Europe raised concerns about its ownership structure after the takeover, with the European Works Council opposing the deal. The council said the transaction was likely to weaken easyJet’s long-term resilience and expose employees to risks not addressed by the assurances given; it also criticized the 12 months of non-binding commitments to employees. Representative bodies in France, Portugal and Spain stopped short of endorsing the acquisition, while counterparts in Britain and Germany took a neutral position on its financial terms.
2. Approvals and next steps
EasyJet said it had secured some regulatory approvals in Austria, Britain, France, Germany and Malta, but additional clearances remain outstanding in those and other jurisdictions. The airline plans court and shareholder meetings in the week starting November 9 to approve the deal and says it remains on track to complete it before the end of the first quarter of 2027.
3. Ownership plans
Apollo has proposed a governance framework intended to ensure easyJet remains majority-controlled by European interests. Its plans include expanding easyJet beyond its no-frills model with a loyalty programme, premium travel products and additional revenue streams.
