Originally Posted by
Denti
Stelios was not too successful with other business ventures, which is one reason why he always insisted on a rather large dividend and a very favorable deal for the “Easy” brand. Getting any kind of government help anywhere would most probably mean no further dividend payments. Refinancing on the open market would mean putting more shares out and/or convertible bonds, which waters down his stake in the company and he would risk losing his blocking minority stake in the company.
He does not care at all about the longterm growth of easyJet, but rather about losing control and dividend payments in the short to medium term. Rather a small low marketshare airline where he is still somewhat important than a growing major one.
Exactly. Stelios wants Easyjet to be his cash cow and he regularly picks it up and shakes it about to get more cash out of it - "Easy" licensing fees, increased dividends, etc.
The other shareholders should consider him a risk to their investment - he acts like he doesn't care about long term growth or returns, or even survival, only short term cash.