Topline Federal prosecutors filed an antitrust lawsuit against JetBlue to prevent its blockbuster $3.8 billion merger with Spirit Airlines on Tuesday, preventing what would be the country’s fifth-largest airline as Spirit’s messy saga to find a strategic partner drags on. The Biden Administration appears set to block a marriage between JetBlue and Spirit.Getty Images Key Facts “JetBlue’s plan would eliminate the unique competition that Spirit provides—and about half of all ultra-low-cost airline seats in the industry—and leave tens of millions of travelers to face higher fares and fewer options,” U.S. prosecutors wrote in the complaint filed in Massachusetts federal court. Bloomberg reported Monday the Justice Department could sue to block the transaction as soon Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the legal proceedings, and JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes confirmed to the Wall Street Journal his company expected the suit. JetBlue’s plan for Spirit would bring “higher prices for those who can still afford to make their way onto the plane,” the suit alleges. In a separate statement Tuesday, the Transportation Department said it will reject an exemption application for the airlines to jointly ope… Click below to read the full story from Forbes
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