Elizabeth Warren blasted for cheering blocking of merger that might have saved Spirit Airlines
New York Post • • business
Key Points:
- Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased operations, canceling all flights and customer service, stranding many travelers and reigniting debate over the blocked JetBlue-Spirit merger.
- Critics blame the federal regulators' decision to block the merger, arguing it reduced competition and contributed to Spirit's downfall, while Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Biden administration officials defended the decision as a win for consumers.
- Warren attributed Spirit’s collapse to rising fuel prices and a judge’s ruling against the merger, dismissing Republican criticism that higher costs are to blame.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and others criticized the merger block, stating it worsened competition and pricing, while the Justice Department had argued the merger would have reduced low-cost competition and raised fares.
- Spirit had financial struggles and previous bankruptcies, with the Trump administration's bailout efforts failing before the shutdown, leaving unresolved questions about regulatory impacts on the airline's fate.
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