EasyJet Shares Surge Amid Speculation of Takeover by MSC

Reports of Interest from Shipping Giant MSC Ignite Market Excitement and Renew Talk of Airline Consolidation

Shares in EasyJet soared by 12% after reports emerged that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), a Swiss-headquartered global shipping powerhouse, was considering a takeover bid for the low-cost airline. The speculation, reported by Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera, cited three unnamed sources claiming that investors were exploring options ranging from a majority stake to full control of the airline.

By midday, easyJet shares pared back some of their early gains, settling at about 4.5% higher, after MSC denied direct involvement and easyJet declined to comment on the rumors. Nonetheless, the jump marked the company’s biggest stock increase in three years, reflecting renewed investor optimism in the budget airline sector.

Potential Bidders and Market Implications

Market analysts noted that MSC’s rumored interest could attract other potential bidders seeking opportunities in the European aviation market. Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said shareholders might be open to offers if the valuation is appealing.

“Shareholders might be getting frustrated that the market isn’t placing a higher value on easyJet, so they could be receptive to a bid if the price is right,” Coatsworth remarked.

However, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the airline’s billionaire founder and largest single shareholder with a 15% stake, could be a significant obstacle to any acquisition attempt. Known for his firm stance on shareholder value, Haji-Ioannou would likely insist on a premium price before supporting any deal.

A History of Takeover Interest

This isn’t the first time easyJet has attracted buyout attention. In 2021, the airline rejected a takeover approach from rival Wizz Air, opting to remain independent amid pandemic recovery challenges. The renewed speculation suggests that easyJet’s improving financial performance and recovery from COVID-19 disruptions have reignited acquisition interest from major investors.

The airline, based in Luton, UK, is one of Europe’s three largest budget carriers, alongside Ryanair and Wizz Air, and employs over 16,000 people worldwide. Despite facing challenges such as volatile fuel prices and weakened consumer confidence, easyJet has managed to stabilize operations and regain profitability.

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Financial Performance and Growth Outlook

In May 2025, easyJet reported that it was on track to achieve over £1 billion in pre-tax profit in the medium term, following a £602 million profit last year on £9.3 billion in revenue. The company’s stock, however, still trades at less than half its pre-pandemic level, underscoring investor caution amid ongoing industry turbulence.

If MSC or any other bidder successfully acquires easyJet, it could mark a major shift in European aviation dynamics and another blow to the London Stock Exchange, which has seen several high-profile exits in recent years.

Impact on London’s Stock Market

A takeover of easyJet, a FTSE 100-listed firm, would deepen concerns about London’s declining stock market influence. In recent years, major companies such as Ashtead, Flutter Entertainment and CRH have relocated or delisted from London, seeking more favorable valuations overseas.

Market observers fear that losing yet another flagship company would further erode investor confidence in the UK’s ability to retain global corporations.

MSC’s Strategy and Previous Ventures

MSC, headquartered in Geneva, is best known as the world’s largest container shipping line, but it also operates passenger cruise services through MSC Cruises and Grandi Navi Veloci. In 2022, MSC partnered with Lufthansa to bid for ITA Airways, though the deal ultimately fell through.

According to Alex Irving, an analyst at Bernstein, the synergy between a shipping giant and a budget airline may not be immediately clear but could represent a strategic diversification move. “While the industrial logic in a combination between MSC and Europe’s second-largest point-to-point airline is not obvious to us, could there be a break-up play?” he speculated.

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