Ultra low cost carrier Avelo Airlines will operate deportation flights under ICE charter - USA Today

Author : Zach Wichter

Avelo Airlines, a relatively new and fast-growing ultra low cost carrier, agreed to operate ICE deportation flights from Arizona starting in May.

Ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines recently signed a deal with the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to carry out deportation flights under a charter agreement.

“We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic. After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 Crewmembers employed for years to come, Avelo's founder and CEO, Andrew Levy, said in a statement.

The flights will be operated by three Boeing 737-800 aircraft based at Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona and will begin on May 12. The airline plans to open a crew base at the airport to support the deportation operations and is hiring flight attendants and aircraft technicians to work and service the charters.