The DoJ could file a suit as soon as March, according to the
report, which added that people in the department's anti-trust
division have competing opinions about whether to bring a case.
"We continue to work through the regulatory process to
demonstrate how this merger will increase competition in the
airline industry," JetBlue said in an emailed statement.
Spirit did not respond to a Reuters request for comment, while the DoJ declined to comment.
Shares of JetBlue and Spirit were flat in extended trading on Friday. Earlier this week, JetBlue officials answered questions and gave depositions as the DoJ pressed on with its anti-trust review.
On Feb. 8, Spirit Airlines said it expects U.S. anti-trust regulators to decide whether to allow the low-cost carrier to proceed with the merger in the "next 30 days or so". JetBlue prevailed in a months-long bidding war for Spirit Airlines after the ultra-low-cost carrier accepted its offer in late July. Since then, Spirit shares are down about 20%, while those of JetBlue have fallen marginally. (Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Sourasis Bose; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
