Castlelake has abandoned its pursuit of easyJet, leaving Apollo as the only known potential bidder for the UK low-cost carrier. Apollo’s proposed £7.15-per-share offer values easyJet at approximately £5.7 billion and has received preliminary support from the airline’s board.
The US investment firm must announce a firm offer or withdraw by 17:00 BST on 7 August.

Wizz Air recorded a €183 million operating loss despite carrying a record 21.2 million passengers and increasing revenue by 5.5% to €1.5 billion.
The result reflected a 21% rise in unit fuel costs, weaker unit revenue and continued Pratt & Whitney GTF engine disruption.
Wizz nevertheless reduced grounded aircraft to 27 and continued expanding its fleet and European base network.

Emirates and South African Airways have introduced a reciprocal codeshare covering nine additional destinations across southern Africa. Emirates will place its code on SAA flights from Johannesburg to three South African cities and six regional destinations.
The agreement expands their nearly 30-year partnership, which previously operated mainly as a unilateral codeshare.
Customers will benefit from improved connections, greater travel choice and more seamless access between Africa and Emirates’ global network.