JetBlue, the carrier that has the most flights to the Dominican Republic from the United States, announced it is pulling out of the merge with Spirit.
CNN reports that the decision came after a federal court blocked the deal from taking place on antitrust grounds. The US Justice Department had argued that airfares could go up if Spirit was no longer an independent airline. The US District Judge William Young in Boston agreed with the US Department of Justice that the US$3.8-billion deal was anti-competitive and would harm ticket buyers.
As reported, US President Joe Biden believes instead in boosting airline competition. Biden called the ruling “a victory for consumers everywhere who want lower prices and more choices.”
Travel & Leisure also reports that the breakup is good news for travelers.
“The Justice Department proved in court that a merger between JetBlue and Spirit would have caused tens of millions of travelers to face higher fares and fewer choices. We will continue to vigorously enforce the nation’s antitrust laws,” stated US Attorney General Merrick Garland.
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US Justice Department
Travel & Leisure
Reuters
Diario Libre
5 March 2024