Judge Blocks JetBlue From Buying Spirit Airlines

LOADING ERROR LOADING DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge is siding with the Biden administration and blocking JetBlue Airways from buying Spirit Airlines, saying the $3.8 billion deal would reduce competition. The Justice Department sued to block the merger, saying it would drive up fares by eliminating Spirit, the nation’s biggest low cost airline.

Advertisement JetBlue argued that the deal would help consumers by making JetBlue a stronger competitor against bigger rivals that dominate the U.S. air travel market. U.S. District Judge William Young, who presided over a non jury trial last year, said in the ruling Tuesday that the government had proven “that the merger would substantially lessen competition in a relevant market.” Shares of Spirit Airlines Inc.

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