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The easyJet dossier is currently on the desks of several parties studying the possibility of investing in one of Europe’s most important airlines. Options range from acquiring a majority stake to taking full control. Among the names circulating is that of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) — the global logistics giant — which is reportedly exploring the move in tandem with an investment fund. The Corriere learned this from three sources familiar with the discussions. These are still preliminary evaluations, and there is no guarantee that the low-cost carrier’s board would accept any offers, especially if they are not “solicited.”

Founded nearly thirty years ago by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, a Greek-Cypriot-British entrepreneur who started as a shipowner and still owns over 15%, easyJet has grown into a major low-cost airline with a strong presence at Europe’s primary airports, particularly those with valuable slots such as Milan Linate, London Gatwick, Paris Orly, and Lisbon. It currently operates a fleet of 356 aircraft and has another 290 on order. In 2021, ultra–low-cost rival Wizz Air attempted to buy easyJet, but the offer was rejected as too low.

The orange-branded carrier — which in Italy operates bases at Milan Malpensa and Linate, Rome Fiumicino, and Naples — has a market capitalization of around €4 billion, an attractive price for those examining the file. MSC has long sought to add a passenger airline to its vast portfolio (which already includes ports, cruise ships, cargo vessels, a cargo airline, and even clinics), following its failed attempt to acquire ITA Airways through a partnership with Lufthansa.

According to sources, alternative targets such as U.S. low-cost Spirit Airlines (now under bankruptcy protection) and Portugal’s TAP Air Portugal were also considered but failed to spark MSC’s interest. easyJet, however, stands out as appealing, particularly because it could complement MSC’s cruise business, given its strong presence in Italy, France, Greece, Spain, the U.K., the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Any official move by MSC on the airline would likely be made in partnership with a fund, following a model similar to MSC’s ventures with Global Infrastructure Partners for high-speed rail operator Italo or with BlackRock in the port infrastructure segment.

MSC denies any direct involvement. “We do not comment on market speculation,” easyJet also responded.

The pandemic accelerated a trend in which shipping giants invest in airlines: Kuehne+Nagel is now the largest shareholder of Lufthansa, while CMA CGM is the largest private investor in Air France–KLM after the French and Dutch governments. MSC, which operates 945 container ships according to the Alphaliner platform, was founded by Captain Gianluigi Aponte and is run alongside his children Alexa and Diego. The company’s liquidity is estimated at €55–60 billion, largely thanks to the record profits generated by the maritime sector in the post-Covid years.