In court documents, JetBlue says it could raise fares on some routes after buying Spirit Airlines

JetBlue Airways estimates that it could raise fares on some routes by up to 40% if it succeeds in buying Spirit Airlines and eliminating the low-fare carrier as a competitor on those routes.

The internal calculations appeared in court filings made earlier this week, and which JetBlue says were not properly redacted.

JetBlue said Thursday that information from the filings is being taken out of context to distort the facts.

Consumer advocates jumped on the news, saying that the accidental disclosure supports the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit aiming to block JetBlue’s $3.8 billion purchase of Spirit, the nation’s largest discount airline.