MSC Cruises owner denies easyJet takeover speculation

The owner of MSC Cruises has denied interest in a takeover of easyJet.

The UK budget airline’s share price rose by as much as 12% on Tuesday after an Italian newspaper reported interest by global container shipping group MSC. 

Reports of a possible offer first emerged in the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, which cited several sources familiar with the matter. 

It said that a number of prospective buyers were considering an offer, which could include either a full takeover of easyJet or the take-up of a majority stake.

Geneva-based MSC Group denied “any involvement in this matter”, while easyJet has declined to comment on speculation.

The report suggested MSC could jointly bid with an investment fund for either a stake or full control of the airline but that evaluations were preliminary.

MSC, a private family-owned company which runs the world’s third largest cruise line, had shown interest in acquiring a majority stake in Italian carrier ITA Airways in 2022 alongside Lufthansa.

Before withdrawing from the process, the company indicated that its interest derived “from the possibility of activating positive synergies for both companies in the cargo and passenger sectors where the MSC Group is a global leader”.

Lufthansa Group went on to acquire a 41% stake in ITA, with the Italian government holding the remaining 59%.