JetBlue Announces Record and Payment Dates for January 2024 Additional Prepayment to Spirit Stockholders

Rhea-AI Summary

JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU) sets January 25, 2024, as the record date for the January 2024 prepayment to Spirit Airlines, Inc. (SAVE) stockholders of $0.10 per share, as part of the Agreement and Plan of Merger with Sundown Acquisition Corp.

Financial Analyst

The announcement of JetBlue's prepayment to Spirit stockholders is a strategic move that warrants a financial analysis. The prepayment is essentially a forward-looking transaction, indicating JetBlue's commitment to the merger and its confidence in the deal's closure. One would assess the liquidity position of JetBlue to ensure that such a payment aligns with its cash flow management and does not adversely affect its operational capabilities.

Furthermore, the prepayment could be indicative of JetBlue's strategy to maintain positive relations with Spirit's shareholders, potentially to ease the merger process. The financial implications for Spirit's shareholders are straightforward—a guaranteed return on their investment before the merger's completion. However, for JetBlue, the cost of this prepayment must be weighed against the long-term benefits of the merger, including synergies and expanded market reach.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, this prepayment may signal JetBlue's confidence in the merger's approval by regulatory bodies and its eventual success. It can be seen as a positive signal to the market, potentially impacting JetBlue's stock positively if investors interpret this as a sign of financial strength and strategic foresight.

However, it's essential to monitor the market's reaction to such news. If investors view the prepayment as JetBlue overextending itself financially, it could negatively impact the stock. It's also crucial to consider the competitive landscape of the airline industry, where consolidation can lead to significant shifts in market dynamics. A successful merger could position JetBlue more favorably against competitors, but it also comes with integration risks that need to be managed effectively.

Economist

An economist would evaluate the broader economic implications of such a merger and the timing of the prepayment. The airline industry is highly sensitive to economic cycles and the decision to make a prepayment might be influenced by current economic conditions, such as interest rates and inflation. A low-interest-rate environment might make such prepayments more feasible for JetBlue.

In the long term, the consolidation of two major airlines could have implications for pricing power within the industry, potentially affecting consumer prices and industry competition. It's also pertinent to analyze how this merger fits into the trend of industry consolidation and what it suggests about the future economic landscape of the airline industry.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As previously announced, in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 28, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among JetBlue Airways Corporation (“JetBlue”) (NASDAQ: JBLU), Sundown Acquisition Corp., and Spirit Airlines, Inc. (“Spirit”) (NYSE: SAVE), JetBlue has set January 25, 2024, as the record date for the January 2024 prepayment to Spirit stockholders of $0.10 per Spirit share (the “January 2024 Additional Prepayment”), with payment of the January 2024 Additional Prepayment to occur on January 31, 2024. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Spirit stockholders as of the January 25, 2024, record date will be entitled to receive the January 2024 Additional Prepayment.

About JetBlue

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue, known for its low fares and great service, carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, Canada, and Europe. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “remains,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “goals,” “targets” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed, or assured. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding our expected prepayment to Spirit stockholders. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many factors, including, without limitation, the COVID-19 pandemic and government-imposed measures to control its spread; risk associated with execution of our strategic operating plans in the near-term and long-term; our extremely competitive industry; risks related to the long-term nature of our fleet order book; volatility in fuel prices and availability of fuel; increased maintenance costs associated with fleet age; costs associated with salaries, wages and benefits; risks associated with doing business internationally; our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization; our dependence on the New York metropolitan market; risks associated with extended interruptions or disruptions in service at our focus cities; risks associated with airport expenses; risks associated with seasonality and weather; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers; risks related to new or increased tariffs imposed on commercial aircraft and related parts imported from outside the United States; the outcome of legal proceedings with respect to our Northeast Alliance with American Airlines Group Inc. and our planned wind-down of the Northeast Alliance; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of JetBlue or Spirit or both of them to terminate the Merger Agreement; failure to obtain certain governmental approvals necessary to consummate the merger with Spirit (the “Merger”); the outcome of the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice and certain state Attorneys General against us and Spirit related to the Merger; risks associated with failure to consummate the Merger in a timely manner or at all; risks associated with the pendency of the Merger and related business disruptions; indebtedness following consummation of the Merger and associated impacts on business flexibility, borrowing costs and credit ratings; the possibility that JetBlue may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies within the expected timeframes or at all; challenges associated with successful integration of Spirit’s operations; expenses related to the Merger and integration of Spirit; the potential for loss of management personnel and other key crewmembers as a result of the Merger; risks associated with effective management of the combined company following the Merger; risks associated with JetBlue being bound by all obligations and liabilities of the combined company following consummation of the Merger; risks associated with the integration of JetBlue and Spirit workforces, including with respect to negotiation of labor agreements and labor costs; the impact of the Merger on JetBlue’s earnings per share; risks associated with cybersecurity and privacy, including information security breaches; heightened regulatory requirements concerning data security compliance; risks associated with reliance on, and potential failure of, automated systems to operate our business; our inability to attract and retain qualified crewmembers; our being subject to potential unionization, work stoppages, slowdowns or increased labor costs; reputational and business risk from an accident or incident involving our aircraft; risks associated with damage to our reputation and the JetBlue brand name; our significant amount of fixed obligations and the ability to service such obligations; our substantial indebtedness and impact on our ability to meet future financing needs; financial risks associated with credit card processors; restrictions as a result of our participation in governmental support programs under the CARES Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act; risks associated with seeking short-term additional financing liquidity; failure to realize the full value of intangible or long-lived assets, causing us to record impairments; risks associated with disease outbreaks or environmental disasters affecting travel behavior; compliance with future environmental regulations; the impacts of federal budget constraints or federally imposed furloughs; impact of global climate change and legal, regulatory or market response to such change; changes in government regulations in our industry; acts of war or terrorism; changes in global economic conditions or an economic downturn leading to a continuing or accelerated decrease in demand for air travel; and risks associated with the implementation of 5G wireless technology near airports that we operate in.

Given the risks and uncertainties surrounding forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on these statements. You should understand that many important factors, in addition to those discussed or incorporated by reference in this press release, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Further information concerning these and other factors is contained in JetBlue’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 as may be updated in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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JetBlue Corporate Communications

Tel: +1.718.709.3089

corpcomm@jetblue.com

JetBlue Investor Relations

Tel: +1.718.709.2202

ir@jetblue.com

Source: JetBlue

What is the record date set by JetBlue for the January 2024 prepayment to Spirit stockholders?

The record date set by JetBlue for the January 2024 prepayment to Spirit stockholders is January 25, 2024.

How much is the January 2024 prepayment per Spirit share?

The January 2024 prepayment to Spirit stockholders is $0.10 per share.

When will the January 2024 Additional Prepayment be paid to Spirit stockholders?

The January 2024 Additional Prepayment will be paid to Spirit stockholders on January 31, 2024.