The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) has pledged to work with Apollo Global Management and easyJet throughout the airline's proposed takeover, saying it will focus on protecting pilots' employment conditions regardless of the company's future ownership.
In a statement released after easyJet agreed to Apollo's £5.7 billion acquisition offer, BALPA said it would ensure the interests of its members are represented during the transaction and afterward.
Related news
"As the recognised trade union for airline pilots at easyJet, BALPA will ensure our members' priorities and concerns are heard during the takeover process and beyond," said Chris Jones, the union's Director for Industrial Relations and Employment Policy.
Jones added that the union's priorities include employment security, pensions, fatigue management and continued engagement between management and flight crews.
"Regardless of who owns the company, our priority will be to defend and advance our members' terms and conditions as part of the continued safe and professional operation of the airline," he said.
BALPA, which represents more than 10,000 pilots across the UK, also described easyJet's pilots as integral to the airline's operations and said it intends to engage constructively with Apollo throughout the acquisition process.
Follow Air Data News: WhatsApp | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Apollo secured the recommended takeover of easyJet last week after rival bidder Castlelake withdrew from the process. The transaction values the low-cost carrier at approximately £5.7 billion, with Apollo offering 715 pence per share.
The deal has received unanimous backing from easyJet's board and support from founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family, who together hold about 15.3% of the airline's shares and intend to remain investors through Apollo's acquisition vehicle.
If completed, the transaction will take easyJet private after more than 25 years as a publicly traded company.
