MESA, Ariz. — Avelo Airlines has begun deportation flights from Mesa Gateway Airport, becoming one of the few commercial passenger carriers directly involved in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removal operations.
The airline is using three Boeing 737-800 aircraft to conduct the charter flights under a subcontract with CSI Aviation, a broker frequently used by ICE. Mesa is one of five ICE Air hubs across the country, and this move marks a notable shift as most deportation flights in recent years have been handled by non-commercial charter companies.
Avelo, based in Houston and known for flying to smaller airports, confirmed the flights began Monday. The decision has sparked criticism and protest, including from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which raised safety concerns over having passengers restrained during emergency situations.
“Having an entire flight of people handcuffed and shackled would hinder any evacuation and risk injury or death,” the union said.
The new operation has also drawn public backlash. Around 30 people gathered near the Mesa airport on Monday holding protest signs, while roughly 150 people protested outside Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut, another city where Avelo operates.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker criticized Avelo’s decision, saying it conflicted with the city’s values. A boycott petition is also circulating online, aiming to pressure the airline to reverse course.
While Avelo says the ICE flights will support job growth and company expansion, critics argue the move ties the carrier too closely to controversial immigration enforcement policies. Avelo has not disclosed specific financial details of the arrangement or the destinations of the deportation flights.
Avelo currently serves more than 50 cities in the U.S. and parts of the Caribbean and Latin America but does not offer regular commercial service out of Mesa Gateway Airport.
