Federal Judge Blocks JetBlue’s Purchase Of Spirit Airlines

DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge has sided with the Biden administration and blocked JetBlue Airways from buying Spirit Airlines. U.S. District Judge William Young said 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. 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. Young presided over a non-jury trial last year and said in the ruling Tuesday that the government had proven that the merger would substantially lessen competition.