A second trade union has asked for job guarantees over the £5.7bn takeover of easyJet, the airline with the largest presence at Bristol Airport.
TTG Media reported on 24 August that the Prospect union had pressed the buyer, US private equity firm Apollo Global Management, saying its employment commitments "are limited to 12 months and expressed as intentions rather than binding undertakings". Prospect asked for longer term job security, protection for collective bargaining and assurances that easyJet would not be broken up.
Unite intervened earlier in the month. TheBusinessDesk.com reported on 13 August that Unite had warned Apollo the deal must protect jobs and union agreements, and said easyJet employs more than 650 crew at its Bristol base, its largest outside London. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said any growth strategy "must translate into well-paid, unionised jobs", Travel Weekly reported on 14 August.
easyJet's board agreed the cash offer in early August at £7.15 a share, after rival bidder Castlelake withdrew, AviTrader reported on 7 August. Apollo says it will keep easyJet's UK and EU headquarters. The deal needs shareholder and regulatory approval and should complete by the end of March 2027.
Bristol Airport said on 21 July that easyJet had based a 20th aircraft here. Booked flights and schedules are unaffected while the deal goes through.
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