The Supreme Court has denied a review of the partnership between American Airlines and JetBlue in the Northeast, according to a June 30 announcement. Justice Brett Kavanaugh was the only judge who expressed interest in taking up the case, which challenges a lower court’s ruling that deemed the partnership between the two major airlines invalid.

The partnership, which aimed to combine the two airlines’ slots and gates at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport, and Boston’s Logan International Airport, was rejected by the Justice Department on the grounds that it would harm consumers and decrease competition in the air travel market.

In court filings, the Justice Department urged the Supreme Court to reject American Airlines’ appeal and uphold the lower court’s decision. Solicitor General D. John Sauer stated that the lower court’s application of “uncontroversial antitrust principles” to the unchallenged factual findings did not conflict with any other court rulings, making it unnecessary for the Supreme Court to review the case.

It is worth noting that JetBlue did not participate in this appeal. However, the airline is currently facing a lawsuit from American Airlines based on their contract.

The decision by the Supreme Court marks the end of a legal battle between American Airlines and the Justice Department, which has been ongoing since 2013 when the partnership was first announced. The Justice Department initially filed a lawsuit to block the partnership, arguing that it would lead to higher fares and fewer options for travelers.

The case has since been through multiple courts, with the latest ruling coming from the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the lower court’s decision to reject the partnership.

The partnership between American Airlines and JetBlue would have allowed the two airlines to coordinate their schedules and pricing on their Northeast routes, essentially creating a virtual monopoly in the region. This raised concerns about potential anti-competitive behavior and higher prices for consumers.

Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, both American Airlines and JetBlue have stated that they will continue to work together on a limited basis, with the goal of providing more options and better service for their customers.