JetBlue Takeover Appeal Grows Amid AMR Limbo: Real M&A

JetBlue Airways Corp. may become a takeover target for AMR Corp.’s American Airlines or US Airways Group Inc. if federal regulators succeed in derailing their merger.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued two weeks ago to block the creation of the world’s biggest carrier, saying it would reduce competition and boost fares. Without the $12.1 billion deal, both airlines could turn their sights to JetBlue, whose smaller size makes it less likely to raise antitrust issues while also offering a base in New York, the busiest air-travel market, said JetBlue shareholder Eagle Asset Management Inc.