JetBlue, a major airline carrier in the United States, is facing legal action from the Justice Department over its planned merger with Spirit Airlines. According to sources, the Justice Department believes the merger would create an imbalance in the airline industry, leading to higher prices and fewer options for consumers. This comes after JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes stated earlier this week that the federal government was planning to sue the airline over the $3.8 billion merger.

The planned merger would be a significant expansion for JetBlue, currently the sixth-largest airline in the United States. If the merger were to go through, it would make JetBlue the third-largest airline in the country, behind only Delta and American. The legal action from the Justice Department is expected to be filed this week, and it is unclear at this time how JetBlue plans to respond.

In response to the legal action, a JetBlue spokesperson said, “We believe this merger is good for consumers, good for competition, and good for the airline industry as a whole. We are confident that our case is strong and will vigorously defend ourselves against any legal action taken by the Justice Department.”

The planned merger has been controversial from the beginning, with many consumer groups and lawmakers expressing concerns over its potential impact on the industry. If the legal action is successful, it would be a significant victory for those who have been opposed to the merger.