One of the UK's most popular discount airlines has been sold off to a US private equity firm in a multi-billion pound deal. EasyJet has confirmed it has agreed to be acquired in a £5.7billion deal by US firm Apollo. The deal's announcement came after rival bidder Castlelake revealed it was dropping out of the bidding war for the budget airline. As one of Europe's largest airlines, EasyJet flies to around 1,2000 routes across dozens of European countries and employs over 19,000 people. EasyJet has been purchased by a US private equity company |As part of the acquisition, the US company , which also owns Wagamama-owner The Restaurant Group, pays shareholders 715p per share for the business.