Avelo Faces Backlash Over Deportation Flight Deal

Avelo Airlines, usually known for low-cost flights out of smaller regional airports, is now set to take on government contracts to handle deportation flights from the U.S., marking a new direction for the airline. Starting in May 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will begin working with Avelo Airlines under a long-term charter deal. The airline will handle deportation flights both across the U.S. and to destinations abroad. To support this agreement, Avelo is scaling back operations at Sonoma County Airport and reallocating planes for these government flights.

This move represents a major change for Avelo, which has mostly catered to budget-conscious travelers. Now, some of its planes will be used for government operations instead of flying vacation routes. As a result, passengers departing from airports such as Pasco, WA, and Traverse City, MI, may encounter fewer available flights. These changes come at a time when demand for regional travel remains high, creating possible complications for those relying on Avelo’s usual network.

An angry reaction was quick to follow, especially in Connecticut, home to the Avelo hang-out spots at Bradley International and Tweed New Haven airports. Activists, some lawmakers have blamed the airline for reaping federal deportation proceeds. There have been calls for public boycotts, and some Connecticut legislators are pushing bills to block companies involved with ICE from obtaining state contracts. However, not all lawmakers agree, with some arguing immigration is a federal issue.

This one argument could mean more than politics getting into a fight. Should legal or operational hurdles emerge from the backlash, service disruptions or flight cancellations could follow. Destinations once served by Avelo might see reduced schedules, leading to fewer options and potentially higher ticket costs, particularly affecting budget-conscious passengers.

Ultimately, this change underlines how a corporate choice can cascade into the passenger experience from start to finish. Regional low-cost routes, used by travelers counting on Avelo for the availability and presumably price in the future, has the flavor of uncertainty. As political and public pressure evolves, passengers may increasingly consider the ethics behind the companies they choose to fly with.