JetBlue Nets Court Approval to Acquire Spirit's LaGuardia Slots

JetBlue secured bankruptcy court approval to acquire Spirit Aviation Holdings’ 22 takeoff and landing slots at New York’s LaGuardia Airport for $58.5 million. The authorization was granted by Judge Sean H. Lane of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York during a Wednesday hearing. In the same proceeding, Lane also approved Spirit’s request to begin the sale process for 27 Airbus aircraft, with a $616 million starting offer from an entity controlled by equipment noteholders. The judge further approved the sale of Spirit’s remaining ground equipment, including items such as trailers, forklifts, and maintenance equipment, according to the excerpt. The approval advances JetBlue’s access to scarce airport capacity while Spirit’s bankruptcy liquidation continues. The competitive impact centers on LaGuardia slot availability in a market where timing and access can shape route expansion.