JetBlue CEO Says DOJ Has Been ‘Short-Sighted’ on Airline Mergers

The top executive at JetBlue Airways Corp. called out federal antitrust authorities for policies she says have exacerbated competitive imbalances and made it harder for small airlines to turn a profit.

Chief Executive Officer Joanna Geraghty said in an interview that the US Department of Justice has been “a bit short-sighted” when evaluating corporate acquisitions in recent years. JetBlue has had two tie-ups dashed by regulators recently, including a planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines Inc. that fell apart earlier this year.

The comments come days after rival Alaska Air Group Inc. was allowed to complete its ...