A judge ruled American Airlines and JetBlue Airways must disband their Northeast alliance.
US District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled for the Justice Department which filed a lawsuit to block the partnership.
The DOJ argued the alliance on flights to and from the Northeast hampered airline competition and raised airfares due to the airlines’ combined market share on certain routes.
The alliance covered various routes out of New York City and Boston.
The DOJ filed the lawsuit last year.
According to the ruling, the airlines’ the airlines have 30 days to halt their partnership.
“Today’s decision is a win for Americans who rely on competition between airlines to travel affordably,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.
JetBlue’s planned takeover of LCC Spirit Airlines is also under government antitrust scrutiny
