DOJ steps up antitrust probe of American Airlines-JetBlue partnership: report

The Department of Justice is reportedly stepping up its antitrust probe of the American Airlines-JetBlue partnership announced last year, expressing concern that the alliance could cause anti-competitive coordination and lead to increased ticket prices at essential traffic hubs.

According to The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter, department antitrust officials have increased their scrutiny of the deal in recent months. The department is reportedly concerned that the partnership, which was announced in July 2020, will decrease competition at bustling Northeast airports in New York and Boston.

The investigation, according to the Journal, is ongoing, and no final conclusions have been made.