A?U.S. Court of Appeals said it would hear arguments from JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines as the two continue their fight to merge for $3.8 billion. The merger was originally blocked by a judge last month who sided with the Department of Justice.?

The appeal will not be heard until June. The airlines were hoping for a more expedited appeal. But that apparently will not happen.?

A federal judge ruled that a potential merger would violate antitrust laws and likely eliminate a viable consumer-friendly competitor. ?

The airlines are hoping to get the verdict overturned. Last year, the DOJ last year filed a lawsuit to block the merger.?

¡°We contemplate argument?during the court's June sitting,¡± the 1st Circuit's order said. ¡°Extensions will be strongly disfavored.¡±?

The case is being closely watched by the aviation community, especially with the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines proposed merger on debt.?

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