Biden Administration’s Blockade of JetBlue-Spirit Merger Blamed for Airline’s Downfall
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed the closure of Spirit Airlines and the resulting loss of 17,000 jobs to the Biden administration’s intervention, particularly the blocking of the JetBlue-Spirit merger in 2022. He referenced past comments from Pete Buttigieg and Neera Tanden about the necessity of competition in the airline industry. Duffy also mentioned an ongoing NTSB investigation into the crash of a United Airlines plane at Newark Airport.
Spirit Airlines’ abrupt failure has left countless passengers and employees in a difficult situation, and some from the Trump administration now blame the merger restrictions imposed during Biden’s term, arguing that Spirit could have survived without regulatory intervention.
“History will now say it was the wrong decision,” Duffy stated on Monday.
“The Department of Justice should not have filed a lawsuit against the merger. Had they not done that, we wouldn’t be facing the issues we are experiencing today.”
During an interview on “Fox & Friends,” Duffy criticized former Transportation Secretary Buttigieg for celebrating the merger’s blockage.
Duffy Criticizes Biden-Buttigieg Team Over Spirit Airlines Collapse
Buttigieg highlighted in a 2023 CNN interview that the Department of Transportation’s previous non-intervention stance was changing, emphasizing the need to block mergers to keep competition alive and ensure lower fares for passengers. Duffy responded, agreeing that choice and competition are important for consumers, but he maintained that Buttigieg made the wrong call. He believes, if thoroughly reviewed, the merger could have ultimately benefited customers.
Duffy Clashes with Democrats Over DEI Funding Cuts
Duffy criticized the entire ideology of the Biden administration, focusing specifically on its approach to mergers and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which are contentious issues among conservatives. Meanwhile, some congressional proponents of the merger’s blockage, like Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, asserted that the Trump administration should be held accountable, arguing that rising fuel costs driven by the Iran conflict impacted airline operations.
Duffy countered this narrative, stating, “I love that they’re trying to do revisionist politics. What do they want? Nuclear Iran?” He suggested that Democrats are, in fact, pushing for higher energy prices and pointed to California’s fuel costs as evidence. He questioned, “Now they’re trying to blame Trump for wanting American energy dominance?”
Spirit Airlines halted all flights early Saturday and laid off around 17,000 staff members. Federal authorities, along with other airlines, sprang into action to assist affected passengers.
