{
  "id": 264836,
  "title": "Private equity is circling budget airlines after Apollo's EasyJet deal — and this carrier could be next",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/private-equity-is-circling-budget-airlines-after-apollos-easyjet-deal",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-07T12:35:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNBC World",
    "slug": "cnbc-world",
    "url": "https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/07/easyjet-apollo-private-equity-airlines-travel.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Following Apollo Global Management's acquisition of budget airline EasyJet, private equity firms are becoming increasingly interested in other European airlines, with Jet2 potentially becoming the next target. Anna Macdonald, investment strategy director at Hargreaves Lansdown, points out that airlines have suffered significantly in the early stages of the Iran conflict. However, recent share price movements suggest that investors are now anticipating more deals in the industry. Jet2's shares have risen by 60% since trading at a price-to-equity ratio of 6-7 times. With U.K. equity valuations lagging behind global counterparts, Macdonald believes the London market poses an attractive opportunity for private equity investors. While private buyouts of international flag carriers may present more challenges, the upside potential in the budget airline sector appears more promising. The EasyJet deal, expected to value the low-cost carrier at $7.7 billion, occurred after rival Castlelake withdrew its $7.3 billion bid for the London-listed airline. Macdonald emphasizes that the airline sector is facing multiple challenges, including low margins, cyclical demand, and high regulation. She adds that private ownership may enable airlines to explore alternative financing options, potentially benefiting consumers with lower costs.",
  "summary": "Private equity investors could target more undervalued airlines following Apollo's swoop for EasyJet.",
  "key_points": [
    "Apollo's acquisition of EasyJet sparks interest from private equity firms.",
    "Jet2 shares surge 60% as potential target after EasyJet deal.",
    "Budget airline sector seen as attractive opportunity for private investors."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/264836.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC",
        "title": "Private equity is circling budget airlines after Apollo's EasyJet deal — and this carrier could be next",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/private-equity-is-circling-budget-airlines-after-apollos-easyjet-deal-267445",
        "published": "2026-08-07T12:35:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}