The airline said it doesn’t believe regulators would allow JetBlue to buy Spirit.
“We believe a combination of JetBlue and Spirit (SAVE) has a low probability of receiving antitrust clearance so long as JetBlue’s Northeast Alliance with American Airlines (AAL) remains in existence,” said a letter from Spirit to JetBlue released early Monday. “Given this substantial completion risk, we believe JetBlue’s economic offer is illusory, and Spirit’s board has not found it necessary to consider it.”
JetBlue announced Monday that it was offering Spirit a $200 million break-up fee if the deal is not completed for antitrust reasons. But a spokesperson from Spirit said the company’s board rejected the break-up fee offer, too.
JetBlue (JBLU) did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Spirit’s rejection of its offer and whether or now plans to pursue a hostile bid to buy Spirit.