JetBlue CEO says DOJ has no case in American alliance inquiry

JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes on Monday defended the airline’s alliance with American Airlines Group Inc., saying the U.S. Justice Department doesn’t have evidence to support allegations that it is anti-competitive. The so-called Northeast Alliance has increased competition in the New York area and Boston, Hayes said. He pointed to additional domestic flying by JetBlue and international route additions from American since the US DoT ended its review of the arrangement in the final weeks of the Trump administration. JetBlue is hiring 1,800 workers and delaying retirement of some aircraft to support the alliance, while fares have declined as the partners step up competition with United Airlinesand Delta, he said. Questions about the alliance have expanded since President Joe Biden’s July executive order to broadly increase competition. It called out the airline industry, among others, and said the Transportation and Justice departments must consult on how consolidation has affected passengers, as well as review the award of flying rights at congested airports. The Justice Department, along with attorneys general from New York and Massachusetts, earlier began investigations of the Northeast Alliance. Spirit Airlines and Southwest have filed complaints saying that it was approved without a full public review and have called for renewed scrutiny. “We don’t believe there is any case,” Hayes said of the DOJ review. “We believe the overwhelming evidence is already pointing to more JetBlue routes, more low fares, more choice. Rather than DOJ looking at that they should continue to monitor and make sure those benefits continue to be delivered.” <br/>