Initially, the carrier agreed to a £5.2 billion takeover by Castlelake but just days later it accepted a £5.7 billion takeover proposal from US investor Apollo.

The company, which agreed a deal to acquire Trafalgar, Contiki and Uniworld parent The Travel Corporation in 2024, upped the ante with an offer worth £7.15 per share.

Castlelake originally had until 5pm on Monday (3 August) to make a formal offer or walk away, while Apollo had until the same time on Friday (7 August) to make its proposal official.

However, easyJet told the London Stock Exchange this morning that the two deadlines would be aligned to 7 August.

A statement issued to the London Stock Exchange read: "Consequently, each of Castlelake and Apollo are required, by not later than 5.00pm on Friday 7 August 2026 to announce a firm intention to make an offer for easyJet."

Since 10 July, when easyJet's board announced that it had reached an agreement in principle from Apollo, easyJet has been providing diligence access to both Apollo and Castlelake.

EasyJet stressed that "that there can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made", and is advising shareholders not to take any action at this time.