A Justice Department lawyer argued that the deal would push fares higher by 30% and leave fewer options for travelers on a budget. Duffy, the Justice Department lawyer, tried to close the door on more divestitures. If Spirit is acquired by JetBlue, Frontier would become the biggest discount carrier in the U.S., followed by Allegiant Air and new entrants Breeze and Avelo. The Justice Department has not indicated whether it will challenge that deal. Spirit agreed to merge with Frontier Airlines, which shares its ultra-low-cost business model, but JetBlue beat Frontier in a bidding war.

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Persons: —, Ryan Shores, ”, ” Shores, U.S . Justice Department's, Edward Duffy, Duffy, ” Duffy, William Young, Young, Ronald Reagan, Shores, “, Biden, David Koenig Organizations: BOSTON, JetBlue Airways, U.S, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, U.S . Justice, Justice, Frontier Airlines, Spirit, New, Justice Department, American Airlines, Frontier, Allegiant Air, Avelo, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Department, Southwest, AP Locations: ”, Boston, New York City, Fort Lauderdale, Fla, New York, U.S, Sunday, Alaska, Delta, United, Dallas