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2w ago

Avelo Airlines Prepares for ICE Deportation Flights Starting May 12

The airline's controversial contract with ICE marks a shift in deportation logistics, traditionally handled by non-commercial carriers.

Guatemalan migrants deported from the United States walk on the tarmac after landing at the Air Force Base in Guatemala City in the first flight of deportees of the year on January 3, 2024. The US deported 55,000 Guatemalans between January and December 2023, a record that exceeds that of 2019, of 54,500, according to records of the General Directorate of Migration of Guatemala. (Photo by JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
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Avelo Airlines is shuttering four out of eight routes at Santa Rosa airport beginning May 1, 2025.

Overview

  • Avelo Airlines has signed a long-term agreement with ICE to operate deportation flights using three Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, starting May 12.
  • The airline is establishing a new operational base at Mesa Gateway Airport, creating jobs for flight attendants, pilots, and technicians to support the program.
  • CEO Andrew Levy stated that the decision was made to expand passenger services and protect over 1,100 crew jobs, despite acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue.
  • This marks a significant shift as Avelo becomes the first commercial airline with scheduled passenger service to take on deportation flights, a role typically filled by charter operators.
  • The contract has drawn criticism from local officials and advocacy groups, with concerns about its ethical implications and impact on families and communities.