EasyJet shares rise over rumours

SHARES in budget airline EasyJet soared 20% yesterday on the back of rumours that an Icelandic carrier was mulling a takeover bid.

Traders named Air Atlanta Icelandic, which recently took over Excel Airways in Britain, Iceland Express and Icelandair as potential suitors.

An EasyJet spokesman said that no takeover approach had been received and went on to deny that founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou was ready to take the company private.