The transfer represents a significant consolidation of assets following Spirit’s collapse earlier this year, a casualty of soaring fuel costs that derailed its efforts to restructure as a leaner budget carrier. JetBlue’s winning bid exceeded Frontier’s offer by $1 million, according to filings in the New York bankruptcy court overseeing the liquidation of Spirit’s remaining resources.

While the deal positions JetBlue to increase its footprint in the New York market, the airline is currently evaluating the most efficient way to deploy this new capacity. Management expects any resulting service expansion to begin next year, a measured approach that aligns with the carrier’s broader 2024 strategy of trimming capacity to mitigate the impact of rising fuel expenses. The court is slated to review the proposed transfer at a hearing on July 22, with final implementation contingent upon regulatory approval.