Low-cost Avelo Airlines has signed a multi-million dollar contract with the Dept. of Homeland Security to fly deported immigrants out of the USA to locations overseas and also within the USA.
The $151 Million contract is to fly deported immigrants out of Phoenix-Mesa Airport, which is close to the ICE Air Operations center.
The overseas locations have not been announced, but could include El Salvador, which the Trump Administration is paying $6 Million to house immigrants detained and deported by ICE.
The DHS ontract with Avelo is unusual, since DHS normally relies on private charter companies.
Avelo’s founder and chief executive, Andrew Levy, says it was a financial decision in part to cement the airline’s future.
“We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic,” Levy said in a statement.
“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 crew members employed for years to come.”
Flying Deported Immigrants is Profitable
In an earnings report last year, Miami-based private charter company Global Crossing Airlines projected that its subcontract to provide flights for ICE was worth $65 million over five years.
The company also earns revenue flying musicians and sports figures to concerts and games,
According to the UW Center for Human Rights, ICE Air has relied primarily on one broker, Classic Air Charter, for contracting.
Public records show Homeland Security awarded another charger company, Classic Air Charter, a contract worth more than $800 million during a period from 2017 to 2023.
According to the Washington Post, Avelo will use three Boeing 737-800s, which can seat up to 189 passengers, to transport people deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to facilities or staging grounds in the United States or to final destinations abroad.
Avelo will have to build a staging area at the Phoenix-Mesa airport, which it does not currently serve.
Apparently, that will cost less than the $151 Million contract.
Demands to Boycott Avelo Airlines
The decision has generated criticism from Democratic lawmakers, the largest flight attendants union and thousands of travelers.
The flight attendants union is urging Avelo to reconsider its decision, citing safety concerns for in-flight personnel.
According to Aviation Source News, more than 31,000 people signed a Change.org petition to boycott the carrier.
Many see Avelo’s decision as a betrayal of its community-friendly image. The airline has built a loyal customer base by offering low-cost flights to smaller airports. Now, critics say it’s prioritizing profit over ethics.
Critics point to cases like that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who was deported to El Salvador despite having a protective order against his removal. The president of El Salvador refuses to return him, and the Trump Administration says it no longer has jurisdiction.
In Sonoma County, where Avelo is closing its hub to focus on ICE flights, locals worry about the economic impact on tourism. The move has left passengers and employees questioning the airline’s values.
Avelo also serves the small New Haven airport, and the new contract with ICE has drawn sharp criticism from Connecticut officials. Attorney General William Tong called it “disappointing,” hinting at ending Avelo’s aviation fuel tax break.
What do you think?
Will you continue to fly Avelo for its ultra low fares?
Or will you boycott them for the decision to fly deported immigrants somewhere?
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as Immediate Past President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
I am saddened to read this article. This is a very sensitive topic that is true however, I feel strongly that those being deported are not necessarily people that should be deported. I am scheduled to fly Avello later this month and had made plans last winter for this trip. After this, I will not use Avelo As my travel carrier.