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Skip to contentSkip to site index Search & Section Navigation Section Navigation SEARCH Business SUBSCRIBE FOR $1/WEEKLog in Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Today’s Paper SUBSCRIBE FOR $1/WEEK Business|Judge Blocks JetBlue From Acquiring Spirit Airlines https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/business/jetblue-spirit-airlines-ruling-merger.html * Share full article * * * 44 Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT Supported by SKIP ADVERTISEMENT JUDGE BLOCKS JETBLUE FROM ACQUIRING SPIRIT AIRLINES The ruling is a victory for the Justice Department, which had argued that the merger would reduce competition. * Share full article * * * 44 * Read in app JetBlue announced plans in 2022 to buy Spirit for $3.8 billion. The Justice Department sued last year to prevent the deal.Credit...Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press By J. Edward Moreno and Santul Nerkar Jan. 16, 2024Updated 6:41 p.m. ET A federal judge on Tuesday blocked JetBlue Airways’ proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines, a victory for the Department of Justice, which argued that the deal would harm travelers. In his 109-page ruling, Judge William G. Young of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts sided with the Justice Department in determining that the merger would reduce competition in the airline business. The proposed merger would have created the nation’s fifth-largest airline. The Justice Department argued that smaller, low-cost airlines like Spirit helped reduce fares and that allowing the company to be acquired by JetBlue, which tends to charge higher prices than Spirit, would have hurt consumers. The four largest U.S. airlines — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines — control about two-thirds of the market. The merger would have given JetBlue a market share of 10 percent, still shy of United, the fourth-largest U.S. airline, which has 16 percent. Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT Lawyers for JetBlue argued in court last month that the merger would allow it to better compete with the four large national airlines, bringing prices down overall. The Justice Department argued that a larger JetBlue would act just like its bigger competitors while taking away a low-cost option for travelers. Analysis presented at trial showed that when Spirit introduces a new route, fares, including those on JetBlue flights, come down. JetBlue planned to reconfigure tightly packed Spirit airplanes to match its own roomier layout, meaning it would reduce the number of seats. Subscribe to The Times to read as many articles as you like. J. Edward Moreno is a business reporter at The Times. More about J. Edward Moreno Santul Nerkar is a reporter covering business and sports. More about Santul Nerkar A version of this article appears in print on Jan. 17, 2024 of the New York edition with the headline: Judge Blocks JetBlue From Buying Spirit Airlines. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe Read 44 Comments * Share full article * * * 44 * Read in app Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT COMMENTS 44 Judge Blocks JetBlue From Acquiring Spirit AirlinesSkip to Comments Share your thoughts. The Times needs your voice. We welcome your on-topic commentary, criticism and expertise. Comments are moderated for civility. SITE INDEX SITE INFORMATION NAVIGATION * © 2024 The New York Times Company * NYTCo * Contact Us * Accessibility * Work with us * Advertise * T Brand Studio * Your Ad Choices * Privacy Policy * Terms of Service * Terms of Sale * Site Map * Canada * International * Help * Subscriptions KEEP READING THE TIMES BY CREATING A FREE ACCOUNT OR LOGGING IN. Continue Enjoy unlimited access to all of The Times. See subscription options