Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of EasyJet, is poised to realize a personal gain of approximately £800 million from the airline's pending acquisition by US investment firm Castlelake.
The substantial payout underscores the scale of the transaction, which values the British carrier at around £5 billion.
The news follows a sharp rally in EasyJet shares on the London Stock Exchange, where the stock jumped nearly 10% on Monday morning.
The news follows a sharp rally in EasyJet shares on the London Stock Exchange, where the stock jumped nearly 10% on Monday morning.
Investors responded positively to the formal agreement in principle announced over the weekend, signaling renewed confidence in the deal's execution and the premium offered by the American private equity group.
The acquisition represents a significant strategic shift for EasyJet, moving the company from public markets into private ownership.
Castlelake's move to take the airline private removes the pressure of quarterly earnings reports and short-term market fluctuations, allowing for longer-term operational restructuring.