JetBlue’s $3.8 billion buyout of Spirit Airlines is blocked by judge citing threat to competition

A federal judge on Tuesday sided with the Biden administration and blocked JetBlue Airways from buying Spirit Airlines, saying the $3.8 billion deal would reduce competition.

The Justice Department had sued to block the merger, saying it would drive up fares by eliminating Spirit, the nation’s biggest low-cost airline.

U.S. District Judge William Young, who presided over a non-jury trial last year, said Tuesday that the government had proven that the merger “would substantially lessen competition” and violated a century-old antitrust law. Read More

JetBlue’s $3.8 billion buyout of Spirit Airlines is blocked by judge citing threat to competition. (2024, January 16). AP News. https://apnews.com/article/jetblue-spirit-antitrust-acquisition-45568e98f87b549ba2c66ac89821812d