JetBlue Airways said Monday it believes the U.S. Justice Department has a 'high likelihood' of filing an antitrust lawsuit this week to block its $3.8 billion takeover of low-cost rival Spirit Airlines Inc .
"My expectation is that we will get sued by the DOJ this week," Hayes was quoted as saying. "My sense is they came to the table with their minds made up."
The companies have offered to sell Spirit's holdings in Boston and New York, along with some assets in Florida, in a bid to ease the government's antitrust concerns. The deal had been expected to face a tough antitrust review from the beginning because the four biggest airlines - American Airlines, United, Delta and Southwest - control 80% of the market.
JetBlue has argued that the merger, which would create the fifth largest U.S. airline with a market share of 9%, would allow it to better compete with the legacy airlines. Reporting by Diane Bartz and David Shepardson in Washingoton; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Richard ChangFocused on U.S. antitrust as well as corporate regulation and legislation, with experience involving covering war in Bosnia, elections in Mexico and Nicaragua, as well as stories from Brazil, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Nigeria and Peru.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WSJ News Exclusive | JetBlue, Spirit Brace for Justice Department Lawsuit to Block Airlines’ MergerJetBlue's CEO said he expects the Justice Department will try to block its planned takeover of Spirit in the coming days
Read more »
JetBlue CEO Says Feds Will Sue Airline Over Its $3.8 Billion Merger With Spirit This WeekSpirit shares slipped as much as 8% while JetBlue jumped 2% as investors reacted to the latest drama surrounding the discount airline.
Read more »
Get into the Spirit: Behind the scenes of the 2023 Spirit AwardsBackstage at the Spirit Awards: A day at the beach with Michelle Yeoh, Paul Mescal, and Quinta Brunson
Read more »
FAA investigating close call involving JetBlue plane at Boston airportBOSTON — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating another close call involving two jets at Boston Logan International Airport. The FAA said a Learjet took off from a runway without clearance from air traffic control while a JetBlue flight was preparing to land on an intersecting runway.
Read more »
Carmel Clay adjusts school calendar for total solar eclipse in 2024As Central Indiana prepares for the area's first visible total solar eclipse in nearly 820 years, the Carmel Clay School Board has moved to change next year's spring break in light of the phenomenon.
Read more »