USA (Eurotoday) January 09, 2026 – Avelo Airlines announced termination of its deportation charter contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement citing political controversy, operational complexity, and insufficient revenue generation. The Connecticut-based low-cost carrier has operated flights from its Mesa, Arizona hub since May 2025 filling capacity gaps left by other providers withdrawing from government charters. Avelo Chief Executive Andrew Levy confirmed base closure at Mesa Gateway Airport effective January 27 alongside six Boeing 737 retirements and workforce reductions.
Avelo entered ICE deportation operations through subcontractor CSI Aviation providing aircraft for migrant removals to Latin American destinations. Company executives stated short-term financial benefits failed to offset protest disruptions, crew safety concerns, and reputational damage affecting commercial bookings. As reported by Transportation Correspondent Leslie Josephs of CNBC, flight attendant unions welcomed the decision citing inadequate training for high-risk missions while Indivisible Project activists claimed credit for organising demonstrations at multiple US airports.
Avelo operated deportation charters through CSI aviation subcontract
Avelo commenced ICE charters May 2025 deploying Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Phoenix Mesa Gateway averaging 120 passengers per flight. Operations supported Department of Homeland Security removal priorities targeting criminal noncitizens under Executive Order 14068 issued January 2025 mandating expanded interior enforcement. Las Vegas represented frequent refuelling stops documented through 28 departures logged by Nevada flight tracking services.
CSI Aviation managed primary contracting coordinating manifests with 94% biometric verification accuracy across 1,200 total passenger movements. Avelo maintained FAA Part 121 certification satisfying federal charter requirements including 100-seat minimum gauge and 95% on-time performance thresholds. Contract pricing averaged $8,200 hourly covering fuel, crew, maintenance averaging 4.2-hour flight durations.
Travel’n Man highlighted aircraft sales continuation. Travel’n Man said in X post,
“Avelo Airlines Ends Deportation Flights, But Company’s Planes Sold To ICE”
Avelo Airlines Ends Deportation Flights, But Company’s Planes Sold To ICE https://t.co/Uycm6vSkzQ pic.twitter.com/cBgUPbeurX
— Travel’n Man (@tourntravelnews) January 9, 2026
CEO Levy cited revenue shortfalls and political exposure risks
Andrew Levy communicated the decision through employee email reviewed by multiple news organisations stating government initiative placed Avelo
“at the heart of a political debate.”
Mesa hub closure eliminates 140 jobs representing 12% workforce alongside Wilmington, North Carolina base shuttering. Six Boeing 737-800 returns to lessors support $140 million capital infusion secured December 2025 strengthening balance sheet position.
Levy acknowledged April 2025 optimism regarding deportation revenue potential conceded operational challenges exceeded projections. The company refocuses on five core leisure markets including Caribbean routes from four remaining hubs planning Dallas expansion
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