Avelo Airlines to Launch Federal Deportation Flights in Arizona
Budget carrier Avelo Airlines has announced plans to operate federal deportation flights from Arizona beginning in May 2024. This decision, which has drawn mixed reactions, aligns the airline with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration Control and Enforcement (ICE) agency as part of a long-term charter initiative.
Details of the Charter Program
According to Andrew Levy, the founder and CEO of Avelo Airlines, the move to support ICE’s deportation efforts is intended to facilitate the company’s growth and safeguard jobs within the organization. Levy acknowledged the sensitive nature of the decision, indicating an awareness that this initiative may provoke strong opinions.
Flight Operations and Infrastructure
The airline plans to utilize three Boeing 737-800 planes for these operations, with a base at Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona. In job listings related to this initiative, Avelo states that the flights will encompass both domestic and international routes, aimed explicitly at supporting the deportation process.
Industry Response
Tom Cartwright, a flight data analyst with the advocacy group Witness at the Border, commented on the unusual nature of this agreement. He noted that, in his five years of monitoring such operations, he has not seen other commercial airlines participate in similar contracts with ICE, typically reserved for lesser-known charter companies.
Cartwright emphasized the difference in operations, stating, “They may fly a flight with all migrants or deportation flights today and they might fly fans to the Masters golf tournament tomorrow.” This highlights the atypical nature of Avelo’s involvement in these types of flights, which contrasts with the retail ticket approach employed by commercial airlines.
Local Leadership and Community Concerns
In New Haven, Connecticut, where Avelo operates from Tweed New Haven Airport, local officials have expressed disapproval of the airline’s decision. Mayor Justin Elicker stated that he reached out to Levy to voice his opposition, calling the move “deeply disappointing and disturbing.” He underscored that it contradicts the community values of a city that prides itself on inclusivity.
“Avelo Airlines’ decision to charter deportation flights from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona is antithetical to New Haven’s values,” Elicker asserted, adding, “Travel should be about bringing people together, not tearing families apart.”
Advocacy Group Actions
In response to this development, the New Haven Immigrants Coalition, a local advocacy organization, is mobilizing support for a boycott of Avelo Airlines. They have initiated an online petition to gather signatures against the airline’s new charter operations.
Conclusion
As Avelo Airlines prepares to embark on this controversial venture, the implications for the airline’s public image, operational focus, and the broader community will become clearer in the months ahead. The airline has yet to receive comments from ICE regarding this new initiative.