The odds of a JetBlue Airways-Spirit Airlines merger coming to fruition could become more clouded as a shutdown of the U.S. government looms large.

American Airlines has officially appealed a court decision ordering the airline and JetBlue Airways to dismantle their Northeast Alliance (NEA).

The airline told the U.S. DOT in a Sept. 25 filing it could launch the service as early as Dec. 1 if it receives the final award for the flights.