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JetBlue, Spirit Appeal Ruling Blocking $3.8 Billion Merger
- Airlines jointly announce notice of appeal on judge’s ruling
- Spirit shares surge in after-hours trading; JetBlue drops
Spirit and JetBlue planes at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023.
Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
JetBlue Airways Corp. and Spirit Airlines Inc. said they’re appealing a federal judge’s ruling blocking their planned $3.8 billion merger in a last-ditch effort to save a deal that many analysts believe is dead.
The carriers filed the one-sentence notice of appeal in court Friday that didn’t specify reasons for the move. Earlier, the airlines said US District Judge William G. Young erred in concluding Jan. 16 that the merger will lead to higher ticket prices or fewer choices for customers. Spirit had previously said the deal was still in effect as it explores ways to shore up its liquidity.