Overview
- DHS confirmed a nearly $140 million contract with Virginia-based Daedalus Aviation to acquire six Boeing 737s for deportation operations.
- Officials say owning jets will save $279 million by improving routing efficiency and reducing reliance on charter carriers.
- The purchase is funded from a large congressional allocation for immigration enforcement reported at roughly $170 billion over four years.
- Key operational details remain undisclosed, including who will crew and maintain the aircraft, where they will be based, and how they will be configured.
- The award is drawing scrutiny because Daedalus leaders also helm Salus Worldwide Solutions, a firm with a separate near–$1 billion DHS air services contract, and it follows an abandoned Spirit Airlines plane proposal.