Texas-based budget airline Avelo is under fire after confirming a controversial new contract with the U.S. government to operate deportation flights. The deal has triggered outrage among customers, employees, unions, and political leaders, with critics accusing the airline of supporting harsh immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration.
A Costly Decision Amid Financial Struggles
Avelo Airlines, which has been financially unstable, signed a long-term agreement last month with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The deal involves flying migrants to detention centers both within the U.S. and abroad. The first flight under this contract took place on Monday, transporting detainees from Arizona to Louisiana, according to data from flight tracking services FlightAware and Flightradar24.
The airline will dedicate three Boeing 737-800 aircraft to these deportation flights. It has also opened a new charter-only base in Mesa, Arizona, to support this operation. The internal company memo reviewed by Reuters described this new base as a central hub for the deportation program.
Trump’s Deportation Push
The backlash comes as President Donald Trump intensifies his crackdown on illegal immigration. His administration has been deporting migrants, particularly Venezuelans whom Trump accuses of gang affiliations, to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Some legal permanent U.S. residents have also been detained and scheduled for deportation, prompting lawsuits and public protests.
Photos and videos have surfaced showing detainees in handcuffs and shackles. These images have added to public anger and calls for action against businesses supporting the deportation efforts.
A Divisive Agreement
Avelo’s CEO, Andrew Levy, acknowledged in a statement that the deal with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was “sensitive and complicated.” However, he said the decision followed extensive internal discussions. According to Levy, the agreement will help secure the financial future of the company and protect over 1,100 jobs.
“This opportunity was too valuable not to pursue,” Levy wrote in a staff memo obtained by Reuters. He admitted the airline is spending more money than it is making and has had to rely on investors to stay afloat.
Avelo recently had to cancel its latest fundraising round after reporting its worst quarterly performance in two years.
Employee and Union Resistance
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents Avelo’s flight crews, has spoken out against the deal. The union described the deportation contract as “bad for the airline” and raised safety concerns.
“Having an entire flight of people handcuffed and shackled would hinder any evacuation and risk injury or death,” the union warned in a public statement. “We cannot do our jobs in these conditions.”
Public Outrage and Boycotts
Beyond the company’s workforce, customers have also begun pushing back. Anne Watkins, a resident of New Haven, Connecticut, said she has stopped flying Avelo since learning about the deportation flights. She also started an online petition urging travelers to boycott the airline. The petition has already gathered over 38,000 signatures.
“It’s about making ethical choices,” said Watkins, 55. “Companies can decide to operate in transparent and moral ways. Avelo is not choosing that right now.”
Watkins also held a candlelight vigil on Monday to protest the launch of the airline’s deportation operations.
Political and Grassroots Pressure
Avelo is also facing political scrutiny. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has warned that the state may review the over $2 million in subsidies and tax breaks granted to the airline.
In California, resistance is growing as well. Nancy K, a Los Angeles resident, co-founded a grassroots campaign called “Mothers Against Avelo.” She plans to lead weekly protests every Sunday throughout May at Hollywood Burbank Airport, one of Avelo’s six major hubs.
“It’s not just Trump acting alone,” she said. “He’s doing this with the help of corporations like Avelo.”
Summary
Avelo Airlines’ decision to support ICE deportation flights has sparked intense public and internal backlash. While the airline insists the move is necessary for its financial survival, critics argue that the company is enabling harsh immigration policies. With protests, boycotts, and political scrutiny on the rise, Avelo’s partnership with the federal government may carry more than just economic consequences.
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