California, 3 States Join Bid To Block JetBlue-Spirit Deal

California and three other states have joined a federal lawsuit blocking JetBlue’s $3.8 billion purchase of Spirit Airlines, which is scheduled for trial this fall, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Photo Insert: The Biden administration argues that the deal would reduce competition and drive up prices for airline consumers by eliminating Spirit, which is known for low fares.

New Jersey, Maryland, and North Carolina also joined in an updated version of the complaint that was filed Friday in federal district court in Boston.

The Biden administration argues that the deal would reduce competition and drive up prices for airline consumers by eliminating Spirit, which is known for low fares.

JetBlue argues that the deal will help consumers by making the New York-based airline a stronger competitor against American, Delta, United and Southwest.

The original lawsuit was brought earlier in March by the US Justice Department, Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia against JetBlue Airways and Spirit. A federal judge scheduled the trial to begin on Oct. 16 in Boston.

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