JetBlue wins Spirit Airlines' slots in New York-La Guardia

US airline JetBlue is expanding its footprint at New York’s LaGuardia Airport after reaching an agreement to acquire a portfolio of take-off and landing slots previously held by Spirit Airlines.

The transaction marks another step in JetBlue’s strategy to strengthen its position in one of the country’s most capacity-constrained airports.

The agreement includes 22 slot pairs at LaGuardia, allowing JetBlue to add flights on existing routes or introduce new services. The carrier won the bid for $58.5 million, beating Frontier Airlines’ $57.5 million bid for Spirit slots.

LaGuardia is one of the busiest airports in the United States and operates under strict slot controls, making take-off and landing rights among the industry’s most valuable assets. Airlines looking to expand at the airport often have limited options beyond acquiring slots from competitors.

For JetBlue, the acquisition supports its long-term strategy of growing in key Northeast markets, notably in New York. The airline has identified the Northeast as one of its core markets and continues to invest in premium products, airport facilities and customer experience. JetBlue already owns 31 slots at the airport, which it uses for flights to Orlando, West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

It also softens its failure of building a strong partnership with American Airlines following a court-ordered end to its Northeast Alliance built with the Dallas-based air giant.