US firm could partner with MSC for potential bid for easyJet, report claims

The owner of MSC Cruises is being tipped as a partner in a consortium led by US investment firm Castlelake for a potential bid for easyJet, an Italian newspaper has suggested.

Should Castlelake decide to present a formal bid for ​easyJet by the June 26 deadline set under UK takeover rules, it hopes to collaborate with the world’s largest shipping group to ensure ​an offer complies with EU ownership rules, Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported on Thursday.

The newspaper cited two sources with knowledge of ‌the ⁠discussions, according to Reuters.

EasyJet responded to Castlelake’s disclosure last week that it was in the early stages of considering a bid for the budget airline as being “highly opportunistic”.

No formal approach has been made and the airline also pointed out the “considerable regulatory, financial and other execution challenges associated with a potential takeover”.

Following disclosure of a possible offer for easyJet on May 29, Castlelake then announced it held a 2.14% stake in the airline.  

MSC and easyJet have declined to comment on the Italian media report while Castlelake did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for a response.

A combination with easyJet would allow ​MSC to ⁠control the entire leisure travel chain, from flights to cruise ships, in a model similar to European travel group Tui, the report added.

EasyJet also owns ⁠package holiday arm easyJet holidays, which accounts for a growing ​share of profit and bolsters overall results.

Swiss-based MSC is a ⁠global group spanning container shipping, logistics, terminal and inland transport operations, and cruises. It also owns a 49% stake in ​Italian high-speed rail operator Italo.

Castlelake, described as a global alternative investment manager with more than 20 years of experience in aircraft investing, leasing and servicing, provided a loan to Virgin Atlantic in January 2025 secured by $400 million in assets, including one Airbus A350-1000 aircraft and nine Rolls Royce Trent engines.