Controversy Unfolds: Arizona Teams Up with Airline for Deportations

Airplane landing on runway under clear blue sky

Arizona’s partnership with Avelo Airlines for deportation flights raises public ire and highlights critical issues.

Key Takeaways

Avelo Airlines begins deportation flights from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona.
The airline collaborates with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Avelo is utilizing three Boeing 737-800 aircraft for deportation flights.
CEO Andrew Levy claims the flights aim to expand operations and protect jobs.
The New Haven Immigrants Coalition actively opposes Avelo’s involvement.

Avelo Airlines and Arizona: An Unusual Partnership

Avelo Airlines, known for budget services in small U.S. cities, is now working with the Arizona government to execute deportation flights in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Utilizing three Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Mesa Gateway Airport marks a significant operational shift for the airline. Unlike typical commercial routes, these charter flights align with a broader strategy for aggressive deportations.

CEO Andrew Levy stated that this controversial development would stabilize the airline’s future, allowing for expansion and job protection. Avelo, which launched in 2021 with cost-effective flights using older Boeing 737 jets, sees this move as instrumental in defending over 1,000 crew positions. The company’s role as a sub-carrier under CSI Aviation furthers its commitment to this new venture.

Budget airline begins deportation flights for ICE with start of Arizona operations https://t.co/nTYaVYVCRf

— Fox 18 KLJB (@YourFox18) May 13, 2025

Public and Union Response

The decision has faced backlash from various groups. The New Haven Immigrants Coalition launched an online boycott campaign to resist Avelo’s role in the deportation process. They demand a halt to flights that they claim separate families without offering legal recourse for return. Additionally, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA raised severe safety issues.

“Flight Attendants are charged with the safety and health of the passengers on our flights and to evacuate an airplane in 90 seconds or less in the event of an emergency. Having an entire flight of people handcuffed and shackled would hinder any evacuation and risk injury or death. It also impedes our ability to respond to a medical emergency, fire on board, decompression, etc. We cannot do our jobs in these conditions,” the Association explained.

These criticisms have intensified, sparking protests in both Arizona and Connecticut. Critics argue that such operations compromise Avelo’s integrity as a commercial passenger service. The flight attendants’ union echoes these sentiments, suggesting that the conditions firsthand disrupt their primary duty of ensuring passenger well-being during flights.

The Larger Context and Future Implications

As one of five hubs dedicated to ICE Air operations, Mesa, Arizona, has already handled nearly 8,000 deportation flights within a single year. Avelo’s expansion into deportation flights follows alignments with proactive immigration policies and initiatives. The airline has yet to disclose specifics around its ICE agreements, including detailed flight destinations, fueling further public scrutiny.

The strategic partnership has thrust Avelo into the spotlight with broader implications for its brand image and business interests. While aiming to provide operational stability, the ongoing backlash highlights the contentious nature of such alliances. Observing Avelo’s trajectory will offer insights into the potential reshaping of airline operations within governmental frameworks.