Avelo Airlines agrees to conduct deportation flights for ICE

In the United States, Avelo Airlines, a budget carrier that began its operations in 2021, has recently made headlines for agreeing to operate deportation and detention flights for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This decision, which is set to take effect in May, involves flying migrants from Mesa, Arizona, to various detention centers, as well as deporting individuals from the country illegally. Avelo plans to use three out of its twenty aircraft for this purpose, opting to avoid its colorful branding in favor of plain white planes to distinguish these flights. The move has not gone unnoticed, and Avelo is facing significant backlash from political figures and activists. The Democratic-led legislature in Connecticut, where Avelo has a major hub, is reportedly working on measures to penalize companies that cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The state's attorney general, William Tong, expressed strong disapproval of Avelo's involvement with ICE, calling the flights both cruel and a misuse of taxpayer resources. Meanwhile, union officials representing flight attendants have raised concerns about the safety risks posed by flying shackled detainees, particularly in emergency situations. Despite the criticism, Avelo Airlines' CEO, Andrew Levy, justifies the agreement as a critical opportunity for the airline to stabilize its finances amidst declining consumer confidence and reduced travel post-pandemic. Industry experts highlight that another airline that previously operated ICE flights reportedly earned significant revenue, raising the stakes for Avelo as it attempts to establish itself in the competitive airline market. Protests against Avelo's decision have erupted, extending across various cities served by the airline, including Rochester, New York, and Burbank, California. Activists have launched petitions demanding a boycott of Avelo unless it withdraws from its ICE flights contract. The controversy surrounding the airline's new role has not only implications for its business model but also raises broader questions about corporate responsibility and the ethics of cooperating with government immigration enforcement agencies.