Avelo Airlines is partnering with ICE for deportation flights starting in May, despite criticism from immigration advocates and local officials.
Quick Takes
- Avelo Airlines has secured a contract with the Department of Homeland Security to operate deportation flights using three Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
- The program will be based at Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, creating new jobs for pilots, flight attendants, and technicians.
- Flight operations are scheduled to begin May 12, with flight attendant positions starting at $28 per hour.
- CEO Andrew Levy defended the decision as providing stability for the airline’s 1,100 employees while enabling continued expansion.
- The contract comes as the Trump administration has deported over 100,000 illegal migrants since returning to office.
New Airline Partnership Supports Border Enforcement
Avelo Airlines has entered into a significant agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to conduct deportation flights, establishing operations at Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona. The contract involves deploying three Boeing 737-800 aircraft specifically for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation missions, encompassing both domestic and international routes. This partnership represents a substantial commitment from the relatively small airline, which will begin these operations on May 12, creating a new operational base that will generate employment opportunities for flight crews and support staff in the Arizona region.
Avelo Airlines is drawing criticism after reportedly signing a contract to operate federal deportation charter flights beginning in May 2025.
Avelo Airlines is partnering with Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) to charter deportation flights out of an Arizona airport.… pic.twitter.com/BZjykJlIV1
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) April 8, 2025
The agreement comes at a time when the federal government has intensified its border enforcement efforts. Under President Trump’s administration, deportation operations have accelerated significantly, with more than 100,000 illegal migrants returned to their countries of origin since his return to office. The administration has employed various legal mechanisms to facilitate these removals, including the Alien Enemies Act, which specifically targets individuals deemed dangerous to national security, such as suspected gang members and those with criminal backgrounds.
Economic Benefits and Employment Opportunities
Avelo’s expansion into government contract work represents a strategic business decision that provides financial stability for the airline while creating new employment opportunities. The Mesa Gateway Airport base will require staffing with qualified pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft maintenance technicians, with current Avelo employees having priority for transfers to the new operation. Job listings for these positions highlight competitive compensation, with flight attendant roles advertised at a starting wage of $28 per hour for “energetic, highly motivated” individuals willing to participate in these specialized operations.
This business relationship provides Avelo with a steady revenue stream through government contracting while supporting federal immigration enforcement objectives. For the airline industry, which has faced significant volatility in recent years, government contracts can offer financial predictability that helps insulate carriers from economic downturns and fluctuations in consumer travel demand. The dedicated fleet of three 737-800 aircraft represents a substantial commitment of resources to this new operational focus.
Controversy and Public Response
The airline’s decision has generated controversy, particularly in communities where Avelo operates passenger services. Justin Elicker, the Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, where Avelo maintains a significant presence, described the company’s involvement with ICE as “deeply disappointing and disturbing.” The New Haven Immigrants Coalition has initiated a boycott petition against the airline, highlighting the tension between business decisions and community values in locations with significant immigrant populations.
The broader context of deportation flights has also faced increased scrutiny, with recent legal challenges to the administration’s immigration enforcement tactics. A federal judge has questioned whether some deportation operations potentially violate existing court orders, adding a layer of legal complexity to the environment in which Avelo will be operating these flights. Despite these challenges, the administration has maintained its commitment to border security and immigration enforcement as core policy priorities.
Balancing Business and Policy Enforcement
Avelo’s participation in deportation operations represents the intersection of private enterprise with government policy implementation. While the airline has characterized the decision as a business necessity that ensures stability and continued employment for its workforce, it also positions the company as an active participant in the nation’s immigration enforcement infrastructure. This dual role highlights the complex relationships between commercial aviation, government contracting, and the practical execution of federal immigration policies during a period of intensified enforcement.
As the May 12 start date approaches, Avelo continues preparations for this new operational focus while maintaining its regular passenger services across its existing network. The company’s ability to successfully balance these dual missions – serving vacation travelers while also fulfilling government contracts – will likely determine both the financial success of this venture and its reception among diverse stakeholder communities that include investors, employees, customers, and the public.
Sources:
US airline partners with ICE in long-term deal to carry out deportation flights
