US investor Castlelake secured Easyjet’s conditional approval for a takeover on 5 July 2026, ending weeks of resistance after five bids. The deal values the airline at 5.2 billion pounds, with Castlelake offering 6.90 pounds per share in cash. Due to EU ownership rules limiting US control to 49 percent, former Easyjet manager Peter Bellew and industry expert Mark Breen will hold the remaining 51 percent. Castlelake must submit a binding offer by 3 August 2026. The investor may later split Easyjet into aircraft fleets, landing rights, and leisure operations, as parts could exceed the whole’s value. This move threatens to reshape Europe’s low-cost sector, where Easyjet ranks second after Ryanair.