California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement after JetBlue and Spirit called off their proposed $3.8 billion merger agreement. The merger was expected to eliminate low-cost airfare options for consumers, resulting in fewer seats available and substantially threaten competition in an industry already experiencing the negative impacts of market consolidation. In March 2023, Attorney General Bonta joined a multistate coalition led by the U.S. Department of Justice in a lawsuit challenging the proposed merger. Following trial last year, the district court in January ruled in favor of the coalition, blocking the proposed merger.
“We celebrate another victory for the important work we do on behalf of consumers and a competitive marketplace here in California and across the country. This merger would have meant higher prices and fewer choices for air travelers, and the stifling of the competitive economy that makes California vibrant and innovative,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I am proud of the work my office has done in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice and my fellow attorneys general and will always keep fighting on behalf of a fair and competitive economy and California consumers.”
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