New Jersey is joining the fight to block JetBlue’s proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines, signing on to a civil antitrust lawsuit with California, Maryland and North Carolina. Some experts and the White House argue the merger would reduce competition and drive up prices.
JetBlue contends the deal will help consumers by making it a stronger competitor against some of the larger airlines, like Southwest and United. The original lawsuit was filed in early March by Massachusetts, New York and the District of Columbia. A federal judge scheduled the trial to begin Oct. 16 in Boston.
