"US Judge Blocks JetBlue-Spirit Airlines Merger Deal, Leaving Spirit Twisting in the Wind"

JetBlue Airways' attempt to acquire Spirit Airlines was blocked by a judge, citing potential harm to a subset of consumers and a violation of the Clayton Act. The ruling emphasizes consumer harm, setting a precedent for future antitrust cases and potentially lowering the threshold for successfully blocking mergers. Spirit Airlines' stock price declined, and there is speculation about potential appeals and efforts to improve profitability.