Idleness prompts Avelo Airlines to reach deal with Trump administration for deportation flights
Budget carrier Avelo Airlines, from the United States, has announced a controversial agreement with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) service to operate deportation flights.
The charter flight agreement calls for three Boeing 737-800s, with 189 seats, to operate flights with illegal immigrants from Mesa, Arizona, starting May 12.
Avelo CEO Andrew Levy justified the decision amid falling passenger demand. “After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding or core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 crew members employed for years to come,” he said.
Launched in 2022, Avelo Air currently has a fleet of 20 737NGs and operates flights on the east and west coasts of the United States as well as some routes to the Caribbean.
The support for ICE comes after President Donald Trump launched a mass deportation plan for immigrants that has even involved U.S. Air Force aircraft.
An online petition was launched following the announcement, calling on travelers to boycott Avelo Airlines until it changes its mind. According to Flight Global, the petition on Change.org had about 30,000 signatures as of Monday.
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