Apollo’s proposed acquisition of easyJet has drawn opposition from European unions, although the airline expects the £5.7bn deal to complete by the end of Q1 2027, according to a report by Reuters.
In a scheme document published on Thursday, easyJet said unions across Europe had raised concerns about its ownership structure following the takeover. The European Works Council (EWC) opposed the transaction, arguing it could weaken the airline’s long-term resilience and expose employees to risks that existing assurances did not adequately address.
The EWC also said employees had been offered only 12 months of non-binding commitments. Representative bodies in France, Portugal and Spain stopped short of endorsing the acquisition, while bodies in Britain and Germany took a neutral position on its financial terms.
Ownership remains a regulatory hurdle. Apollo has proposed a governance framework intended to ensure easyJet remains majority-controlled by European interests, as the transaction could set a precedent for private equity acquisitions of European airlines.
EasyJet said it had secured some regulatory approvals in Austria, Britain, France, Germany and Malta. Further clearances remain outstanding in those countries and other jurisdictions.
Apollo’s plans include expanding the airline’s offering through a loyalty programme, premium travel products and additional revenue streams intended to increase customer spending.
EasyJet plans to hold court and shareholder meetings during the week beginning 9 November to approve the acquisition. Completion would take the airline off the London Stock Exchange after more than 25 years.
