JetBlue Airways on Monday said it is “unfortunate” that another four states have joined a federal lawsuit against its buyout of Miramar-based Spirit Airlines, saying their position would only help tighten the grip that bigger airlines hold over the U.S. marketplace.
“The facts show that preserving the status quo is the most anti-competitive step that the federal government and these states can take,” the New York-based airline said in a statement.
Last Friday, state attorneys general from California, Maryland, New Jersey and North Carolina all signed on to a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit filed last month against JetBlue, along with the states of New York and Massachusetts, as well as the District of Columbia. In the suit, which seeks to block the deal, the state and federal governments argue that the proposed $3.8 billion takeover will reduce competition and drive up air fares.
