What Happened
Federal Aviation Administration Approves Slot Transfer with Conditions
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted an exemption allowing JetBlue Airways to acquire 22 slots from Spirit Airlines at LaGuardia Airport, subject to certain conditions. The transfer is intended to enhance competition and provide low-fare options to consumers. JetBlue is prohibited from trading or leasing the slots until after April 2028, and must start using them by April 2027 to avoid losing them. The FAA found that the transfer is in the public interest, as it will return scarce public airspace resources to active commercial service under a proven low-fare business model. This decision was reported by the Federal Register.