JetBlue Airways (JBLU) is continuing to pursue potential partners to replace its Northeast Alliance joint venture with American Airlines (AAL) that was grounded late last year by a federal appeals court, JetBlue President Martin St. George said Wednesday at an industry conference.
"I certainly do think that a partnership would be good for JetBlue," St. George said during the Barclays Industrial Select Conference in Miami, according to a Factset transcript of the event.
A three-judge panel for the First Circuit of the US Court of Appeals upheld on Nov. 8 a lower court decision that ended the JetBlue-American partnership on common routes between New York and Boston. The appeals court sided with the US Department of Justice and several states, contending that the agreement letting the airlines coordinate flights and pool revenue worked to reduce competition and increase ticket prices for passengers.
The ruling, however, also laid out ways for carriers to legally cooperate, St. George said.
"When I look at the benefits that we got from the partnership we had, I think that's something that's attractive for us," he said. "We have said we're talking to multiple airlines. We're still talking. If we find a deal that's accretive, we'll absolutely do it."
JetBlue shares were sinking more than 6% in recent afternoon trading.
Price: 7.27, Change: -0.48, Percent Change: -6.14
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