US private equity firm Apollo - which owns the parent company of high street chain Wagamama - will purchase the airline, offering shareholders 715p per share. EasyJet operates from Southampton Airport to several European destinations, including Alicante, Belfast, Faro, Geneva, Glasgow, Majorca, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Paris. "My family and I intend to remain invested as long-term major shareholders of easyJet for the next chapter in the company’s journey." Sir Stephen Hester, non-executive chairman of easyJet, said the board had carefully assessed Apollo’s proposal in the context of the airline's independent prospects. EasyJet was established in 1995 by Sir Stelios as a low-cost alternative to British Airways.