EasyJet to axe jobs ahead of £5.7bn takeover

EasyJet has confirmed plans to cut head office jobs ahead of its £5.7bn private equity takeover.

The low-cost Luton-based carrier is understood to be consulting on proposals that could see up to about 50 head office roles axed out of a 2,300-strong team.

It came after EasyJet agreed in July to a takeover for 715p a share by US firm Apollo, which also owns Wagamama's parent company The Restaurant Group.

Shareholders are voting on the deal on Wednesday and, if approved, it is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2027. It is understood that the job cuts are not linked to Apollo or the takeover.

An EasyJet spokesperson said: "Our people are integral to EasyJet's success, and as a low-cost airline, we always operate efficiently so we can keep fares low for our customers and invest in future growth opportunities.

"These proposals affect a very small proportion of head office roles to ensure we are best set up to support the business' ambitious plans."

Unions in the UK and Europe have voiced concerns over possible job cuts after the Apollo deal as well as debts that would be put onto the airline's balance sheet.

Apollo previously said it wants to help the airline grow and that it does not intend to cut any jobs in the first 12 months after the takeover has been completed, implying that passengers can expect largely the same service. It has been contacted for further comment.

But the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) trade union said recently that "important questions remain regarding the long-term implications of the transaction".

The union added that its principal concern was "the extent to which the transaction may affect employees beyond the 12-month period covered by the statements of intention."

EasyJet was founded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou in 1995 to offer a low-cost alternative to British Airways, and it has since expanded to be one of the largest networks across Europe.

Sir Stelios and his family, who own about 15% of the business, have given the takeover their support.

Apollo secured the deal after winning in a takeover tussle with US investment firm Castlelake.

Castlelake had previously made a £5.5bn, or 690p a share, proposal to buy EasyJet, but walked away from the bidding war in August.

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