Apollo intends to accelerate easyJet's shift upmarket, seek deals with other airlines and find ways to charge passengers for extra services if its £5.7bn takeover is successful. The US private capital group promised no job cuts for the first year as it laid out a series of commercially focused opportunities to boost profitability at the British budget airline.

The plans include more premium or business-focused product features on key routes to tap into new customers in growing markets. This helped convince founder and largest shareholder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou to back its bid over a rival approach from Castlelake.

Apollo also plans to drive profits higher through ancillary services potentially by utilising an improved technology platform. Extras such as fast boarding, baggage or food have higher margins than seat sales. The firm wants to explore opportunities to interline and code share with other airlines, helping easyJet link passengers with long-haul operators at cities such as Paris, Geneva or Middle Eastern carriers at Gatwick.

It will also roll out a structured loyalty programme. Apollo does not intend to make headcount reductions in the 12 months following completion and will maintain easyJet's UK headquarters. Shares were trading slightly down at £6.67 in London trading on Friday.