Castlelake has confirmed it is evaluating a potential acquisition of EasyJet, the London-listed budget airline. The investment firm currently holds approximately 2.14 percent of EasyJet's shares, giving it a meaningful but non-controlling stake in the carrier.

Under UK takeover rules, Castlelake would be required to make any offer at a minimum of £403.23 pence per share if it proceeds with a formal bid. This threshold represents roughly the company's current market valuation, making any offer potentially accretive to EasyJet shareholders.

The EasyJet board has publicly criticized the timing of these discussions as highly opportunistic, suggesting the approach comes during a period of market weakness. This reaction indicates the board believes the airline's shares may be undervalued relative to their potential worth.

While still in early stages, any transaction would mark Castlelake's entry into European aviation at a time when airlines continue recovering from pandemic disruptions. The move signals confidence in EasyJet's recovery trajectory despite near-term headwinds.