EasyJet Reopens Talks With US Investment Firm Despite Rejecting $6.4 Billion Takeover Offer

EasyJet has reopened talks with U.S. investment firm Castlelake after previously rejecting its £4.9 billion ($6.4 billion) takeover proposal, according to reports cited by The Guardian. The article says the EasyJet board argued the offer materially undervalued the airline, but that granting limited access to commercial information suggests negotiations are ongoing rather than ended. It notes the timing is influenced by pressure on EasyJet’s share price tied to higher fuel costs and wider geopolitical concerns, while some shareholders believe the company’s long-term earnings potential and asset base justify a higher valuation. Financially, for the fiscal year ending September 2025, EasyJet reported headline pre-tax profits of £665 million ($878 million), up 9% year-on-year. For the six months to March 2026, revenue rose to nearly £4 billion ($5.28 billion) with load factors around 90%. The airline also reported £4.7 billion ($6.2 billion) in liquidity, £434 million ($572 million) in net cash, and about £5 billion ($6.6 billion) in owned asset value.