Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Avelo Airlines, a budget airline catering to smaller U.S. cities, has drawn significant controversy after confirming its participation in federal deportation flights. The airline, which began operations in 2021, is deploying its Boeing 737-800 aircraft for deportation missions from Mesa Gateway Airport near Phoenix, Arizona. This decision has led to widespread criticism, sparking a boycott petition and prompting public calls for travelers to reconsider flying with the airline.
In April, Avelo entered into a contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aligning itself with a growing number of companies involved in deportation operations as part of the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies. The agreement comes amid Congressional discussions surrounding a tax bill that proposes funding the deportation of up to 1 million immigrants annually and bolstering the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Avelo, which operates with a focus on underserved markets and secondary airports to keep costs low, reported its first profitable quarter in late 2023. The airline primarily uses older Boeing 737 jets, offering affordable air travel. Despite its growing financial success, Avelo’s decision to engage in deportation flights has attracted significant backlash, especially from the union representing its flight attendants. The union expressed concerns about the safety of evacuating deportees in an emergency situation, highlighting the challenges of meeting federal standards that require passengers to be evacuated within 90 seconds.
In response to the criticism, Avelo’s leadership defended the airline’s involvement, stating that the contract with ICE would help ensure the airline’s expansion and safeguard jobs, contributing to the company’s future growth. However, the financial details of the contract, including flight destinations and the compensation Avelo will receive, have not been disclosed. Avelo and ICE have both refused to disclose the details of the contract.
The airline’s participation in deportation flights has placed it at the intersection of corporate interests and public opinion, with growing concern about the ethical implications of such contracts. Several companies, particularly in the hospitality sector, have distanced themselves from the deportation industry due to its divisive nature. For example, during the previous administration, some hotel chains publicly declared they would not house migrant children, despite government contracts.
Avelo’s participation in deportation flights jeopardizes its brand, especially considering its dependence on consumer trust and loyalty. The backlash has been swift, with an online petition circulating on Change.org urging a boycott of the airline. The flight attendants’ union has voiced concerns about the challenges and safety risks involved in deporting individuals. Protests have also occurred in cities where Avelo operates, including Connecticut, where local officials have called on the airline to reconsider its decision. Opponents argue that Avelo’s role in deportation flights contradicts the values of the communities the airline serves, particularly its image as “a hometown airline.”
In Mesa, Arizona, over 30 protesters gathered near the airport to demonstrate against the airline’s involvement in deportation flights. Similarly, in Connecticut, around 150 people held a protest outside Tweed New Haven Airport, urging the public to boycott Avelo. The protesters hope to apply enough financial pressure to force Avelo to withdraw from its agreement with ICE.
Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix, serves as one of the five main hubs for ICE Air, which handles deportation flights. According to the advocacy group Witness at the Border, ICE Air conducted nearly 8,000 deportation flights over a 12-month period ending in April. Commercial passenger airlines typically do not engage in deportation flights, with the majority of these services contracted out to charter companies. Avelo’s role in this industry comes under a subcontract with CSI Aviation, a New Mexico-based air broker. However, CSI Aviation has not responded to inquiries about the financial arrangements of the contract.
Avelo’s involvement in deportation flights has raised legal and ethical questions, as protesters and advocacy groups demand more transparency from the airline. As the public outcry continues to grow, Avelo will need to navigate the ongoing controversy surrounding its business decisions. The airline’s future involvement in deportation flights will likely remain a contentious issue, with protests and petitions calling for increased accountability and a reassessment of its contract with ICE.
