A trial deciding if JetBlue can buy Spirit — and further consolidate the industry — nears its end
1 year ago

A trial deciding if JetBlue can buy Spirit — and further consolidate the industry — nears its end

Associated Press  

BOSTON — A lawyer for JetBlue Airways said Tuesday that the biggest U.S. airlines are using their size to cement their dominance in a post-pandemic world, making it critical that a federal judge allow JetBlue to buy Spirit Airlines. The lawyer, Ryan Shores, said JetBlue needs Spirit to be a “viable challenger” to the four airlines that control most of the domestic air-travel market. “That mandate is even more urgent today,” Shores said during closing arguments in a federal court trial over the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit to block JetBlue’s $3.8 billion purchase of Spirit, the nation’s biggest low-fare carrier. Duffy said JetBlue was contradicting itself by arguing that because of its smaller size it needs Spirit to grow fast enough to challenge the bigger airlines, while also claiming that even smaller low-cost rivals such as Frontier Airlines would have no trouble growing fast enough to replace Spirit’s presence in the market. The JetBlue lawyer suggested that it could be two or three years, “after the market has arrived at its post-merger competitive equilibrium.” Before the trial started, JetBlue sought to win regulatory approval by agreeing to sell Spirit’s gates and takeoff and landing slots at airports in Boston and the New York City area and give up some gates in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

History of this topic

JetBlue-Spirit Airlines $3.8b merger cancelled after judge blocked deal
9 months, 2 weeks ago
JetBlue and Spirit are ending their $3.8 billion merger plan after a federal judge blocked the deal
9 months, 2 weeks ago
JetBlue and Spirit end their $3.8-billion merger plan after a federal judge blocked the deal
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Court sets June hearing for JetBlue and Spirit appeal of a ruling blocking their $3.8 billion merger
10 months, 3 weeks ago
JetBlue tells Spirit Airlines that it may terminate its $3.8 billion buyout offer challenged by US
10 months, 4 weeks ago
JetBlue’s incoming CEO clings to Spirit deal with few other options
11 months ago
JetBlue and Spirit Airlines say they will appeal a judge’s ruling that blocked their merger
11 months ago
With merger scuttled, Spirit Airlines faces an uncertain future. Is bankruptcy a possibility?
11 months, 1 week ago
The JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger was blocked by a federal judge. Here's what you need to know
11 months, 1 week ago
The JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger was blocked by a federal judge. Here’s what you need to know
11 months, 1 week ago
JetBlue’s $3.8 billion buyout of Spirit Airlines is blocked by judge citing threat to competition
11 months, 1 week ago
Judge blocks JetBlue’s $3.8-billion buyout of Spirit Airlines, cites competition threat
11 months, 1 week ago
Biden administration takes on JetBlue as its fight against industry consolidation goes to court
1 year, 1 month ago
Biden administration and JetBlue square off in court over Spirit deal
1 year, 1 month ago
American Airlines and JetBlue will end their partnership next week after losing antitrust case
1 year, 5 months ago
JetBlue is dumping its partnership with American Airlines to salvage its purchase of Spirit
1 year, 5 months ago
JetBlue strikes a deal to sell Spirit’s LaGuardia operation if it succeeds in buying Spirit
1 year, 6 months ago
American Airlines and JetBlue must abandon their partnership in the Northeast, federal judge rules
1 year, 7 months ago
US sues to block JetBlue from buying Spirit Airlines
1 year, 9 months ago
Spirit Airlines shareholders approve $3.8B sale to JetBlue
2 years, 2 months ago
JetBlue CEO first witness in US lawsuit against 2 airlines
2 years, 2 months ago
US case against American Airlines and JetBlue heads to court
2 years, 2 months ago
JetBlue is buying Spirit for $3.8 billion after bidding war
2 years, 4 months ago
Spirit Airlines delays shareholder meeting as it weighs Frontier, JetBlue bids
2 years, 6 months ago
Spirit Airlines board urges shareholders to reject JetBlue offer
2 years, 7 months ago
Spirit still prefers bid from Frontier Airlines over JetBlue
2 years, 7 months ago
Smaller airlines pursue buyouts to bulk up amid recovery
2 years, 8 months ago
Spirit Airlines will talk to JetBlue about takeover bid
2 years, 8 months ago
Spirit Airlines will talk to JetBlue about takeover bid
2 years, 8 months ago
JetBlue makes offer for Spirit Airlines, could spark bid war
2 years, 8 months ago
American, JetBlue ask court to toss US lawsuit against deal
3 years, 1 month ago
US sues to stop deal between American Airlines and JetBlue
3 years, 3 months ago

Discover Related