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A12 BUSINESS
Wednesday 17 January 2024
JetBlue’s $3.8 billion buyout of Spirit

Airlines is blocked by judge citing

threat to competition

By DAVID KOENIG
AP Airlines Writer
DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge is siding with the Biden administration and blocking Jet-
Blue Airways from buying Spirit Airlines, saying the $3.8 billion deal would reduce compe-
tition. The Justice Department sued to block the merger, saying it would drive up fares
by eliminating Spirit, the nation’s biggest low-cost airline.
JetBlue said it disagreed with the ruling and was considering whether to appeal.
The New York carrier argued that it needs the deal to compete better against bigger
rivals that dominate the U.S. air-travel market.
“We continue to believe that our combination is the best opportunity to increase much
needed competition and choice by bringing low fares and great service to more cus-
tomers in more markets,” JetBlue said in a statement.q

A line of Spirit Airlines jets sit on the tarmac at the Orlando
International Airport on May 20, 2020, in Orlando, Fla.
Associated Press