Judge Blocks , JetBlue-Spirit Merger.<br />Judge Blocks , JetBlue-Spirit Merger.<br />The merger was halted <br />on Jan. 16, CNBC reports. .<br />The blocked deal follows a lawsuit filed by the <br />U.S. Justice Department in March 2023 to stop JetBlue's $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines.<br />JetBlue plans to convert Spirit’s <br />planes to the JetBlue layout and <br />charge JetBlue’s higher average <br />fares to its customers. , U.S. District Court Judge William Young, via decision.<br />The elimination of Spirit would <br />harm cost-conscious travelers <br />who rely on Spirit’s low fares, U.S. District Court Judge William Young, via decision.<br />JetBlue and Spirit issued a joint statement.<br />JetBlue and Spirit issued a joint statement.<br />We continue to believe that our combination <br />is the best opportunity to increase much <br />needed competition and choice by bringing <br />low fares and great service to more customers <br />in more markets while enhancing our ability <br />to compete with the dominant U.S. carriers. , JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, via joint statement.<br />The two carriers are weighing their options to <br />figure out where to go from here, CNBC reports. .<br />The two carriers are weighing their options to <br />figure out where to go from here, CNBC reports. .<br />According to JetBlue and Spirit, divestiture and other tactics should have "removed any reasonable anti-competitive concerns that the Department of Justice raised.".<br />According to JetBlue and Spirit, divestiture and other tactics should have "removed any reasonable anti-competitive concerns that the Department of Justice raised.".<br />Joanna Geraghty will take over as JetBlue's new CEO in February after Robin Hayes announced his retirement this month.
