The board of directors at easyJet plc has unanimously rejected a £4.7 billion ($6.2 billion) takeover proposal from United States investment firm Castlelake, L.P., describing the unsolicited £6.25 per-share cash offer as an opportunistic attempt to acquire the airlines during a temporary dip in its valuation.

The rejection, detailed in a regulatory announcement on June 22, 2026, marks the third rebuffed approach from Castlelake in recent weeks. Following the board’s decision, Castlelake made its offer public to appeal directly to easyJet shareholders ahead of a looming regulatory deadline.

The Castlelake proposals and easyJet’s rejection

Castlelake’s interest in the United Kingdom-based carrier began privately with an initial proposal of £5.60 per share submitted on June 12, 2026. After the easyJet board rejected that initial approach on June 16, 2026, Castlelake returned with a second offer of £6.00 per share, followed by a third proposal of £6.25 per share on June 20, 2026.

The third proposal represents a 59% premium over easyJet’s closing share price of £3.94 on May 28, 2026, the last trading day before Castlelake’s interest became public knowledge. Despite the premium, the easyJet board concluded the offer fundamentally undervalues the company and its future prospects.

“The Board believes that the Third Proposal represents an opportunistic attempt to acquire easyJet ‘on the cheap’ and that it is therefore not in the best interests of easyJet shareholders,” the airline stated in its regulatory filing.

In response to the June 21, 2026 rejection, Castlelake issued a public statement criticizing the board’s refusal to negotiate. The investment firm stated that given the board’s unwillingness to engage meaningfully, it chose to announce the third proposal publicly to allow easyJet shareholders to evaluate the merits of the offer directly.

Regulatory deadlines and shareholder expectations

To comply with European Union regulations requiring airlines to be majority-owned and controlled by EU nationals, Castlelake structured its bid as a partnership. Under the proposed arrangement, Castlelake would hold a 49% stake. The remaining 51% would be held by two Irish aviation executives: Peter Bellew, a former easyJet Chief Operating Officer, and Mark Breen.

The acquisition attempt is now subject to the rules of the UK Takeover Panel. The regulator has set a “put up or shut up” deadline of June 26, 2026. By this date, Castlelake must either announce a firm intention to make an offer for easyJet or formally withdraw from the process.

While Castlelake attempts to bypass the board and appeal to shareholders, early indications suggest the current offer may not secure investor backing. According to reporting by Reuters, major easyJet investors are holding out for an offer of at least £7.00 per share before they would be willing to support a transaction.

AirPro News analysis

We view this takeover attempt as a clear indicator of private equity’s growing appetite for outright airline acquisitions, particularly when macroeconomic pressures create valuation disparities. easyJet’s share price has faced significant headwinds recently, driven largely by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The geopolitical situation has simultaneously depressed customer confidence in certain markets and introduced volatility into jet fuel prices, creating the exact “temporarily depressed” valuation the easyJet board cited in its rejection.

The easyJet board is leaning heavily on the airline’s recent financial performance to justify its standalone strategy. The carrier reported a 46% increase in pre-tax profit over the two full financial years ending in September 2025 and has set a medium-term profit before tax target exceeding £1 billion. For Castlelake to succeed before the June 26, 2026 deadline, the firm will likely need to bridge the gap between its £6.25 offer and the £7.00 threshold reportedly demanded by institutional shareholders, a move that would significantly increase the total capital required for the acquisition.

Sources: easyJet plc

This is original reporting and analysis by AirPro News.

Airlines (LY) will equip its commercial fleet with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet, joining a growing roster of global carriers adopting low-Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity. The installation will begin a gradual rollout across the airline’s aircraft starting in 2027.

The Israeli flag carrier announced the agreement on June 15, 2026, via its official social media channels. The partnership aims to provide passengers with continuous, high-speed Wi-Fi capable of supporting live streaming and remote work during flights. “We continue to invest in the most advanced products and services, aiming to upgrade your flying experience from the ground to the air,” the airline stated in its official release.

Fleet integration and service rollout

The Starlink system utilizes a constellation of LEO satellites to deliver high bandwidth and low latency compared to traditional geostationary satellite systems. El Al plans to install the necessary hardware across its fleet, which includes Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 777, and Boeing 737 aircraft.

While the airline confirmed the 2027 launch timeline, specific details regarding the installation schedule for individual aircraft types remain pending. Reports from outlets including Reuters indicate the service will be offered to passengers free of charge. El Al has not yet officially confirmed the final pricing structure in its primary announcements.

Statements provided to aviation trade press attributed to El Al chief executive Levy Halevy described the integration as a significant step forward for passenger connectivity. The technology is expected to allow customers to stay connected in the air and communicate without interruption.

Starlink’s expanding aviation footprint

The agreement with El Al marks another expansion for SpaceX in the commercial aviation sector. Starlink has secured partnerships with more than 40 airlines globally. Recent adopters include United Airlines (UA), Air France (AF), Qatar Airways (QR), and Hawaiian Airlines (HA).

The shift toward LEO satellite internet reflects a broader industry trend as airlines seek to match in-flight Wi-Fi performance with ground-based internet standards. Traditional air-to-ground and older satellite systems often struggle with bandwidth limitations over oceans and remote regions.

AirPro News analysis

We view El Al’s investments in Starlink as a strategic move to solidify its premium market positioning during a period of unique financial strength. Since October 2023, the suspension of flights to Israel by many foreign carriers has left El Al with limited competition and increased profitability. Reinvesting these yields into high-visibility passenger experience upgrades like LEO Wi-Fi allows the carrier to build long-term brand loyalty.

The timeline of 2027 for the initial rollout suggests the airline is factoring in the necessary supplemental type certificates (STC) and heavy maintenance scheduling required to retrofit its Boeing fleet. As Starlink continues to capture market share from legacy connectivity providers, the pressure will mount on remaining holdout airlines to upgrade their own in-flight offerings.

Sources: El Al Israel Airlines

Auckland-based charter operator Advanced Flight took delivery of New Zealand’s first Airbus ACH160 helicopter on June 18, 2026, marking the inaugural entry of the corporate rotorcraft variant into the Pacific region.

The handover follows the recent type certification of the aircraft by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). According to a press release issued by Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH), the twin-engine aircraft will support passenger transport operations across both the North and South Islands.

Operational capabilities and configuration

Advanced Flight selected an eight-passenger configuration for their ACH160. The corporate variant is designed to accommodate up to 10 passengers, while the standard H160 holds certification for a maximum of 12 passengers.

The manufacturer states the aircraft provides an 18 percent reduction in fuel consumption and a 50 percent reduction in perceived sound compared to previous-generation helicopters. Airbus reports there are currently more than 65 H160 helicopters operating globally.

Strategic regional milestone

The delivery establishes a new regional footprint for the Airbus corporate portfolio. Christian Venzal, managing director of the Airbus helicopter business in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, stated the platform offers greater fuel efficiency and quieter operations for applications ranging from commercial passenger transport to medical evacuation.

Advanced Flight chief executive officer and pilot Keith Stephens noted the delivery continues a longstanding relationship with the manufacturer.

“This delivery represents a significant step forward in our commitment to innovation, safety, and delivering world-class aviation services. It also reflects the depth of experience within our team and pilots, who consistently lead the way in operating and supporting some of the most advanced aircraft in the World,” Stephens said.

AirPro News analysis

The introduction of the ACH160 into the New Zealand charter market highlights a growing regional demand for modern, lower-emission rotorcraft. We view the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority certification as a critical enabler for Airbus to expand its corporate helicopter footprint across the broader Pacific market, where rugged terrain and inter-island transit often necessitate advanced rotary-wing capabilities.

Sources: Airbus Corporate Helicopters,