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Avelo Airlines began operating deportation flights for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week. The flights departed from Phoenix’ Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA). As part of the contract signed with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Avelo has made the airport a base and hired flight attendants, mechanics, and pilots to specifically work these flights.
The low-cost carrier might have announced new seating options last week, but many people are more concerned about the deportation flights its operating. These are flown with repainted Boeing 737 aircraft to remove the airline’s colorful livery and make it a solid neutral white, but it’s still Avelo at its core.
It’s not unheard of for commercial airlines to transfer and remove migrants in support of immigration and deportation efforts. ICE’s air operations division conducts special high-risk charter flights on an as-needed basis to remove migrants who have failed to comply with deportation orders or are deemed a security risk. Other immigration flights are typically carried out with US military or charter airlines. Avelo’s CEO, Andrew Levy, released a statement around the airline’s decision. It reads:
We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic. After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 crewmembers employed for years to come.
We also flew these charters under the Biden administration. Regardless of the administration or party affiliation, as a U.S. flag carrier, when our country calls and requests assistance, our practice is to say ‘yes.’ We follow all protocols from DHS and FAA, honoring our core value of Safety Always.”
Around 38,000 people have signed a petition boycotting the airline. Aside from the petition, Avelo has faced backlash from the mayor of New Haven, CT. Avelo operates a base at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport (HVN) and the mayor has requested its CEO to reconsider operating these deportation flights.
Anthony’s Take: This is a hot-button political issue and one that people are sharply divided on. Avelo sees this as a way to earn much needed revenue, but many take issue with its involvement and are questioning the legality of some of these removals.
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