Spirit Shareholders Approve $3.8 Billion JetBlue Purchase (1)

Spirit Airlines Inc. shareholders approved the carrier’s $3.8 billion cash sale to JetBlue Airways Corp., a milestone for a deal that’s poised to eliminate the largest US carrier offering deeply discounted fares.

More than half of outstanding shares were voted in favor of the combination, according to preliminary results disclosed Wednesday by the companies. JetBlue and Spirit still expect to receive required regulatory approvals and close the transaction no later than the first half of 2024, they said in a statement.

The vote adds momentum to the most contentious airline takeover battle in the US in recent years, ...