Avelo Airlines, a budget-friendly carrier known for affordable travel, is now at the center of a heated controversy.
It’s decision to take up an ICE deportation flight contract has sparked community backlash and protest action. In addition, over 31,000 people have signed a petition urging a boycott of the airline.
Decision to Conduct ICE Deportation Flights
The airline signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to operate deportation flights for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Starting 12 May 2025, Avelo will carry out deportation flights from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona.
This decision has triggered widespread backlash, with boycott calls and protests erupting in cities like New Haven, Connecticut, and Sonoma County, California.
Community Backlash
The announcement has struck a chord with communities. Over 31,000 people have signed a Change.org petition, urging Avelo to cancel the ICE contract.
The petition’s supporters vow to boycott the airline until it stops the flights. Protests have flared up, especially in New Haven, the home of the carrier’s largest hub.
Here, groups like Connecticut Climate Crisis Mobilization and Unidad Latina in Accion rallied at Tweed New Haven Airport. They argue that deportation flights profit from human suffering and risk deporting legal residents.
For example, advocates cite cases like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father facing deportation despite his contributions to society.
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.
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 Airlines CEO Defends Decision
Avelo’s CEO, Andrew Levy, has defended the decision as a business necessity. He argues that the ICE contract stabilizes the airline’s finances, protecting its 1,100 employees and supporting its core passenger services.
Levy also noted that Avelo operated similar flights under the Biden administration, though the backlash has intensified under the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policies.
The airline plans to use three Boeing 737-800s for domestic and international deportation flights, reallocating resources from less profitable routes.
Political Pushback
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Connecticut officials. Attorney General William Tong called it “disappointing,” hinting at ending Avelo’s aviation fuel tax break.
Lawmakers like Maria Horn echoed this sentiment, while New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker urged Avelo to prioritize humanity over profit.
These responses highlight the tension between local values and federal policies, with Avelo caught in the middle.
Conclusion
Not everyone opposes Avelo’s choice. Some argue that boycotting the airline is misguided since ICE would likely turn to other carriers, like charter companies, if Avelo backed out.
Supporters of the flights, particularly Trump administration advocates, view them as a necessary step to enforce immigration laws.
They see Avelo Airline’s role as fulfilling a federal contract, not a moral failing.
Avelo’s future hangs in the balance. The boycott could hurt its reputation and ticket sales, especially in progressive areas like New Haven and Sonoma County.
Meanwhile, the ICE contract offers financial security but at a steep public relations cost. As protests continue and political pressure mounts, Avelo must navigate a tricky path.
Will it double down or reconsider? Only time will tell. For now, Avelo must rationalize its image as a family friendly budget carrier with the stark contradiction of carrying deportees in manacles and chains.
Buy Our Magazine!
