JetBlue agreed to buy Spirit for $3.8 billion
It would be the country's fifth-largest airline if approved by US regulators
The deal comes a day after Spirit's failed attempt to merge with Frontier Airlines
The combined airline, which is based in New York and managed by Hayes, will have a fleet of 458 aircraft
The carrier will continue to operate independently until the deal is completed
JetBlue said Thursday it will pay $33.50 per share in cash for Spirit
This includes an upfront cash payment of $2.50 per share, paid after Spirit shareholders approve the transaction
There is also a ticking fee of 10 cents per month from January 2023 until closing
JetBlue expects annual savings of $600 million to $700 million after closing the deal
The company's combined annual revenue is estimated to be around $11.9 billion based on 2019 revenue