Court to Hear JetBlue-Spirit Airlines Merger Appeal in June

A U.S. Court of Appeals said it would hear arguments from JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines as the two continue their fight to merge for $3.8 billion. The merger was originally blocked by a judge last month who sided with the Department of Justice. 

The appeal will not be heard until June. The airlines were hoping for a more expedited appeal. But that apparently will not happen. 

A federal judge ruled that a potential merger would violate antitrust laws and likely eliminate a viable consumer-friendly competitor.  

The airlines are hoping to get the verdict overturned. Last year, the DOJ last year filed a lawsuit to block the merger. 

“We contemplate argument during the court's June sitting,” the 1st Circuit's order said. “Extensions will be strongly disfavored.” 

The case is being closely watched by the aviation community, especially with the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines proposed merger on debt. 

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