The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an antitrust lawsuit against JetBlue on Tuesday to prevent a planned merger with Spirit Airlines, Axios reported.
The $3.8 billion merger deal, which would make JetBlue the nation’s fifth-largest airline, was approved in October after a previous merger between Spirit and Frontier Airlines fell through, according to Axios. The DOJ is challenging the deal because it would “eliminate the unique competition that Spirit provides,” the complaint explains.
“Spirit’s ultra-low-cost business model has increased competition and brought low fares to hundreds of routes across the country, making it possible for more Americans—particularly the most cost conscious—to travel,” the complaint states, noting the merger could mean higher prices because of JetBlue’s plan to remove 10 to 15% of all seats from every Spirit plane.
In 2021, the DOJ sued JetBlue and American Airlines after the companies announced a planned consolidation of operations in Boston and New York. A federal court finished hearing arguments for the case in November.
The DOJ, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org
The man behind one of the most significant technological revolutions of the last 50 years…
America’s nuclear storefront still stocks uranium, while abundant and potentially cleaner thorium remains off the…
Washington is applying two decades of hard-earned battlefield experience to combat the enemy in America’s…
The Trump administration is giving thousands of facilities that store hazardous chemicals near waterways three…
Before you buy another storage cabinet, shelving unit or plastic tote, or — heaven forbid…
Schedule Summary: President Donald Trump will have executive time, travel to Ohio, participate in a…