It’s almost over.
Closing arguments are expected on Tuesday in Boston, where a federal judge has been presiding over a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to try and block a proposed merger between JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines.
The lawsuit was filed in March.
The outcome has been eagerly anticipated in the aviation world. JetBlue paid $3.8 billion to acquire Spirit Airlines, but the DOJ believes it would create a monopolistic situation and raise prices.
Court proceedings have been canceled since Wednesday. A report suggested that both sides might have exhausted their witness lists.
Now comes decision time.
A positive decision to proceed with the merger would make JetBlue the fifth-largest airline in the country. The carrier maintains that the only way it can grow and compete with the big four of American, United, Delta and Southwest would be to merge with another airline.
It could set a precedent and that’s why the other airlines are watching so closely.
Both airlines have expressed their willingness to accept a settlement deal.
However, JetBlue is proceeding as if it will win the case. Earlier this year it announced a plan to divest all of Spirit’s holdings at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
At least one former government official is against the DOJ and its plans to block the merger.
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