Biden administration launches broad inquiry into air travel competition market

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Transportation Department said on Thursday they are launching a broad public inquiry into the state of competition in air travel.

President Joe Biden has made boosting airline competition a top priority and his administration has taken an aggressive approach to blocking consolidation efforts in the airline industry.

The Justice Department successfully sued to block JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU)’ planned $3.8 billion acquisition of ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines (NYSE:SAVE) and also went to court to force JetBlue to end its U.S. northeast partnership with American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL).