Justice Department sues to block JetBlue-Spirit airlines merger | USA TODAY

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a lawsuit to block JetBlue-Spirit merger, stating the deal will drive up prices for regular passengers.

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The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Tuesday to block JetBlue's bid to merge with Spirit Airlines, the opening salvo in a coming antitrust trial as the agency fights to prevent the carriers from combining.

The lawsuit, which was filed in federal district court in Boston, said that the deal would end direct competition between JetBlue and Spirit and eliminate Spirit, the nation’s biggest "ultra-low-cost carrier."

"We allege that if allowed to proceed, this merger will limit choices and drive up ticket prices for passengers across the country," Attorney General Merrick Garland said during a press conference announcing the lawsuit. "By acquiring Spirit, JetBlue will eliminate the largest ultra-low-cost carrier in the United States."

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