US budget carrier Avelo Airlines is receiving criticism following its decision to partner with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for conducting federal deportation flights. Pilotcenter.net News reports that these flights, scheduled to take off from Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Arizona starting May 2025, are part of a broader immigration control initiative under the previous administration. This strategy aimed to tighten immigration policies by, among other measures, strengthening interior enforcement and restricting entry at the southern border.

Avelo confirmed to Fox News that they plan to operate three aircraft from Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) to assist in deportation efforts. The airline disclosed that these planes, including three 737-800s, are expected to fly both domestically and internationally, starting on May 12, 2025. Despite anticipating controversy, Avelo's CEO, Andrew Levy, emphasized that this decision was carefully considered. He stated, "We understand the sensitivity and complexity of this issue. Through thorough discussions, we concluded that these charter flights will not only help us sustain our core passenger services but also ensure job security for our over 1,100 crew members in the long run."

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Avelo is in the process of recruiting various personnel, such as flight attendants, aircraft technicians, and community leaders, through Change.org. The leaked internal communication revealed that revenues generated from these deportation flights will offset operational deficits at Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) and thereby support the airport's operations through what Change.org referred to as "cruel deportation practices." HVN is Avelo's primary hub on the East Coast, witnessing a higher volume of flights compared to other airports in its network.

In reaction to these developments, Change.org noted a growing petition urging individuals to boycott Avelo until it abandons the deportation flight plans, with more than 3,400 signatures already supporting this cause. The petition, initiated by the New Haven Immigrants Coalition—an organization advocating for immigrant rights in the region hosting Avelo's key East Coast operations—strongly condemns the airline's involvement in what it perceives as "inhumane, unsafe, and sometimes unlawful" deportation activities. The petition asserts, "Trump's inhumane policies contradict our values, facilitating the forced removal of vulnerable individuals, including minors and women, from the country in some cases without due process."