News Summary

• The Department of Justice is — as the law requires — speaking for consumers who otherwise would have no voice.”With no merger in sight, the status quo for both JetBlue and Spirit remains — meaning air travelers shouldn't expect major changes anytime soon..
• U.S. District Judge William Young agreed.Young, who was nominated for the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan, ruled that the merger would harm competition and violate antitrust law.“There are no ‘bad guys’ in this case," the Boston-based judge wrote..
• JetBlue, the nation’s sixth-largest airline by revenue, argued that it needs the deal to better compete with larger rivals.The ruling could also open the door for Frontier Airlines to make another attempt to buy Florida-based Spirit..
• Attorney General Merrick Garland said Tuesday that the Justice Department will “continue to vigorously enforce the nation’s antitrust laws to protect American consumers.”The administration's court victory could make it more likely that it will challenge Alaska Airlines’ proposal to buy Hawaiian Airlines..
• The Justice Department and several state attorneys general sued to block the merger last year — arguing that it would drive up fares by eliminating low-cost Spirit..
• Within air travel, previous administrations allowed a series of deals that consolidated the industry to the point where four carriers — American, Delta, United and Southwest — control about 80% of the domestic market.Spirit shares plunged 47% Tuesday..