JetBlue’s $3.8 Billion Buyout of Spirit Airlines Is Blocked by Judge Citing Threat to Competition

JetBlue’s $3.8 Billion Buyout of Spirit Airlines Is Blocked by Judge Citing Threat to Competition
A JetBlue airplane is shown at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on March 16, 2017. Seth Wenig/AP Photo
The Associated Press
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DALLAS—A federal judge on Tuesday sided with the Biden administration and blocked JetBlue Airways from buying Spirit Airlines, saying the $3.8 billion deal would reduce competition.

The Justice Department had sued to block the merger, saying it would drive up fares by eliminating Spirit, the nation’s biggest low-cost airline.