EasyJet has declined to comment after vague takeover rumours sent shares flying on Friday.
City traders reportedly heard talk of a possible £16 a share offer, perhaps from private equity, founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou or the world’s largest aircraft leasing company AerCap.
Shares in the budget carrier, which have been volatile since the Brexit vote, soared by 2.5% to £11.05 following a previous rise last Thursday.
Sir Stelios’ family is the largest shareholder in the carrier with a 33.7% stake.
In our view, interest from AerCap is highly debatable,” Credit Suisse, which has been an adviser to easyJet since its flotation in 2000, told the Financial Times.
“Acquiring an airline would represent a major divergence in strategy for questionable benefits to the lessor. “
Speculation of private equity interest in the airline has been circulating since a profit warning last month.