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On Wednesday, I wrote about a rumor that began swirling that United Airlines could be in market to acquire JetBlue. There has been lots of speculation since this started on X. Today, United filed a Form 8-K saying that it was not attempting any purchase or merger of another carrier. While that might be true, it still leaves the door open for United to acquire assets like aircraft and slots at airports it wants such as New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
JetBlue has been struggling to find its place. It’s not quite a low-cost carrier, but also not really seen as a true competitor to American, Delta, and United. JetBlue has introduced multiple transatlantic routes (and cut some recently) and is also looking to add a true First Class cabin domestically and open lounges (more here).
I have sources telling me UA is heavily looking at B6 — merger or buying assets or something else I’m not remotely sure at the moment.
Aviation watchdog, @JonNYC, first shared that United was looking at JetBlue for some unknown reason. This could be just a rumor or it could be the move that gets United back into New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), allows it more gates at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), or provides it with the opportunity to buy aircraft while delivery delays are plaguing all airlines.
And, at this juncture, I feel there is ample evidence that some of UA's Star Alliance partners have been briefed about UA's interest in Jetblue
Other rumors say that United is talking with its Star Alliance partners about JetBlue. Could United try to get JetBlue into Star Alliance or somehow add it to its transatlantic joint venture? I don’t think that would make any sense, but who knows? It seems more and more likely that this will be an asset sale. If it is, will this spark United’s return to New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)?
Anthony’s Take: There are way more questions than answers at this point. United is being tightlipped (understandably) and we’ll need to wait and see what materializes. I like the idea of United acquiring JetBlue altogether, but maybe this will just be a way for UA to pick up some gates.
(Image Credits: United and JetBlue.)
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2 comments
SWA should buy JetBlue and keep JetBlue’s product and service
JetBlue selling off gates and landing slots at JFK would literally be suicidal. That would provide some short term cash at the expense of irreplaceable assets. Better to just declare bankruptcy and reorganize.