JetBlue and Spirit have terminated their $3.8 billion merger agreement.
Under the arrangement, JetBlue will pay Spirit a $69 million termination fee. JetBlue had already paid Spirit shareholders $425 million in prepayments for the planned acquisition, which was blocked by a federal court in January.
The two airlines had appealed the ruling, and a circuit court hearing had been expected by June. But in statements Monday, both airlines said that while they still believe the merger would benefit consumers, they do not believe they can receive regulatory approval prior to the termination date of their agreement on July 24.
The Justice Department sued to block the merger last year, arguing that Spirit's bargain-hunting customers would be harmed if the discount carrier were to be taken over by JetBlue. Since the court's Jan. 16 decision in the government's favor, both airlines have sought to sooth investors by laying out standalone paths forward.
JetBlue plans to adopt a series of revenue initiatives this year, which the company expects to produce $300 million in incremental revenue, including approximately $200 million of ancillary revenue. The company has also reached an agreement to defer nearly 50 planned Airbus plane deliveries through 2027, a move that will enable JetBlue to slow growth plans and recalibrate its network.
Spirit is working on options for refinancing $1.1 billion in loyalty program debt that will come due in September 2025, while making network adjustments in hopes of finding a path back to profitability.
JetBlue incurred a 3.5% pre-tax operating loss last year, while Spirit sustained a 19.3% operating loss.