• Backing sovereign space The Government announced £62 million in funding to strengthen the UK's domestic space capabilities, from satellite communications to emerging space security technologies. Unveiled at Farnborough International Airshow, the package also backs next-generation connectivity systems, innovation programmes and regional space infrastructure. Ministers say it will reduce reliance on overseas capabilities while supporting national resilience, economic growth and competitiveness.
Photo credit: miglagoa/
stock.adobe.com Apollo swoops for easyJet
easyJet is set for a dramatic change in ownership after its board backed a takeover offer from private equity giant Apollo Global Management, bringing weeks of bidding activity to a close. Apollo's recommended offer of £7.15
per share values the airline at around £5.7 billion and represents a substantial premium to easyJet's share price before takeover interest emerged. The proposal follows the withdrawal of rival bidder Castlelake, which had previously secured board support for its own offer but ultimately decided not to proceed. The deal marks one of the biggest
aviation transactions in recent years and could see one of Britain's best- known airlines leave the London Stock Exchange. If approved by shareholders and regulators, easyJet would be delisted and become a privately owned company under Apollo's control. The offer has already won the backing of easyJet founder Sir Stelios
Haji-Ioannou and his family, who together hold more than 15% of the airline. Rather than cashing out, they intend to exchange their shares for stock in Apollo's new parent company, allowing them to retain an interest in the business. The proposed acquisition comes
as easyJet continues to benefit from strong demand for European leisure travel while pursuing fleet renewal and sustainability initiatives. Supporters of the deal argue that private ownership could provide greater flexibility to invest for long-term growth away from the pressures of the public markets. A shareholder vote is expected
later this year, with a scheme document due to set out the next steps and approval timetable.
Scan the QR code for more easyJet news
• SAF gets certainty The Government has unveiled its Sustainable Aviation Fuel Revenue Certainty Mechanism, a key step towards unlocking commercial- scale SAF production in the UK. Designed to reduce investment risk, it will offer producers long-term revenue guarantees similar to those used in renewable energy. The first allocation round is
expected in 2027, supporting up to 230,000 tonnes of annual SAF production. Ministers hope this will help developers reach final investment decisions, accelerate domestic production and strengthen the UK's decarbonisation ambitions.
• Britain’s space dilemma The UK space industry continues to punch above its weight, generating £18.6 billion in annual income and capturing around 5% of the global market despite modest government spending. Yet a new assessment warns that Britain still struggles to turn promising start-ups into globally competitive mid-sized businesses. Access to growth capital remains a key constraint.
The challenge now is less about
creating innovative companies and more about helping them scale into the prime contractors of the future.
Autumn 2026 | Advance 47
NEWS IN BRIEF
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
