Spirit Airlines extends slide as blocking of JetBlue merger fuels uncertainty

Shares of ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines (SAVE.N), opens new tab fell 17% in morning trade on Wednesday, a day after a U.S. judge blocked the airline's planned $3.8 billion merger with rival JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O), opens new tab.

Spirit's stock shed nearly half of its market value on Tuesday after a federal judge agreed with the U.S. Department of Justice that the airline's deal with JetBlue would harm ticket buyers. The decision has left the company in limbo, with analysts saying it could seek out another buyer or consider a bankruptcy filing.

Spirit has had...