Key Takeaways
• Avelo Airlines began ICE deportation flights in May 2025 using three Boeing 737-800 planes.
• Michigan protests and boycott calls target Avelo over deportation flights linked to Traverse City airport.
• Federal law stops airports from banning Avelo despite public opposition to deportation flights.
Avelo Airlines Faces Boycott Calls in Michigan Over ICE Deportation Flights
Avelo Airlines, a budget carrier known for its low-cost flights across the United States 🇺🇸, is at the center of a growing national controversy. In May 2025, the airline began operating deportation flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This move has sparked widespread protests, boycott calls, and political pressure, especially in Michigan, where Avelo serves Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC). The situation raises important questions about the role of commercial airlines in immigration enforcement, the rights of immigrants, and the responsibilities of companies that serve both the government and the public.
This article provides a detailed look at the latest developments, the reasons behind the backlash, and what this means for immigrants, travelers, and communities across the country.
Avelo Airlines’ Involvement in ICE Deportation Flights
In May 2025, Avelo Airlines started flying deportation flights for ICE, marking the first time a major retail airline—one that sells tickets directly to the public—has taken on this role. Previously, ICE relied on private charter companies that did not have a public-facing brand. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this shift has made the issue much more visible and personal for many Americans, especially those who regularly fly with Avelo.
The first deportation flight reportedly took place on May 12, 2025. Avelo uses three Boeing 737-800 aircraft for these flights, which operate mainly out of Mesa Gateway Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. The airline is not acting alone; it is a sub-carrier under a larger contract between DHS and CSI Aviation, a company that specializes in government air services. The contract is worth $78.1 million for six months, with the possibility of rising to $162.2 million if extended.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The contract with Avelo is part of a broader policy under President Trump’s administration to increase the number of deportations. Congress is currently discussing funding to remove up to 1 million immigrants each year and to detain up to 100,000 people at a time. The government argues that using a commercial airline like Avelo helps meet these ambitious goals by providing more planes and routes for deportation flights.
Backlash and Boycott Calls in Michigan
The decision by Avelo Airlines to participate in ICE deportation flights has led to strong reactions across the United States 🇺🇸, with Michigan emerging as a key battleground. Avelo operates direct flights between New Haven, Connecticut, and Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC), making it a familiar name for many Michigan travelers.
In early June 2025, protests took place at dozens of airports served by Avelo, including TVC in Traverse City. Local activist group Traverse Indivisible released a statement condemning Avelo’s “complicity” in ICE deportations. Their concerns grew with the news that a large immigration detention center run by the GEO Group would soon open in Baldwin, Michigan, just 70 miles from Traverse City. Activists worried that Avelo’s deportation flights might use TVC to serve the Baldwin facility.
However, TVC CEO Kevin Klein firmly denied these rumors. He stated that no deportation flights had taken place at Cherry Capital Airport and none were planned. Klein also explained that federal regulations prevent airports from refusing service to airlines based on their contracts. If TVC tried to ban Avelo, it could lose important federal funding.
Stakeholder Responses: Airlines, Unions, and Officials
Avelo Airlines CEO Andrew Levy addressed the controversy by saying the ICE contract was necessary to keep the airline financially stable and to protect jobs for over 1,100 employees. He acknowledged the public’s concerns but stressed that the airline had to make tough choices to survive in a competitive market.
Not everyone within Avelo agrees with this decision. The flight attendants’ union has publicly criticized the move, raising both safety and ethical concerns. They point out that deportation flights can be dangerous and that it may be hard to evacuate deportees quickly in an emergency, as required by federal safety rules.
Airport officials in Michigan, including TVC CEO Klein, have tried to reassure the public that they are following the law. They explain that federal rules do not allow airports to pick and choose which airlines can operate based on the type of flights they run. This means that even if local leaders or residents oppose Avelo’s role in deportations, the airport cannot legally refuse to let the airline land or take off.
Elected officials have also weighed in. U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (California) and Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut) have demanded more transparency from Avelo. They want to know how the airline handles court-ordered stays of deportation and what steps it takes to make sure it does not deport people who have legal status or are U.S. citizens. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has threatened to take away state support for Avelo, including tax breaks, unless the airline pulls out of the ICE contract.
Policy Implications and Practical Effects
Avelo’s decision to operate ICE deportation flights is a major change in how immigration enforcement is carried out in the United States 🇺🇸. Until now, most deportation flights were handled by private charter companies that did not sell tickets to the public. Because Avelo is a consumer airline, its involvement has drawn much more attention and criticism.
- Public backlash has been strong, with boycott petitions gaining thousands of signatures online.
- Protests have taken place in at least 40 cities as of June 2025.
- No evidence has been found that Avelo deportation flights have started or ended at Michigan airports, including TVC, as of late June 2025.
For immigrants and their families, the use of a well-known airline for deportations can be frightening. Many worry that mistakes could lead to the wrongful removal of people who have legal status or even U.S. citizens. For travelers, the controversy may affect their choice of airline, especially if they do not want to support a company involved in deportations.
How Deportation Flights Work
Avelo’s deportation flights are not the same as its regular commercial service. The planes used for ICE flights are unmarked and do not carry paying passengers. These flights are kept separate from the airline’s normal operations, and details about where they go and how they are run have not been made public. Both Avelo and ICE have refused to release the full contract or share information about the destinations and procedures.
Avelo operates as a sub-carrier for CSI Aviation, which holds the main contract with DHS. This means that while Avelo flies the planes, it does so under the direction of another company that specializes in government contracts.
Transparency and Legal Concerns
One of the biggest complaints from activists and elected officials is the lack of transparency. Because the details of the contract are secret, it is hard for the public to know how deportees are treated, what rights they have, and what steps are taken to prevent wrongful deportations.
Senators Padilla and Blumenthal have asked Avelo to explain how it makes sure it does not deport people who have a court order allowing them to stay in the United States 🇺🇸. So far, Avelo has not made its policies public. This lack of information has led to fears that people could be deported by mistake, especially in the chaos of large-scale removal operations.
Community and Expert Perspectives
Activists and immigration advocates have been quick to criticize Avelo’s involvement in deportation flights. They argue that the airline is helping to carry out policies that can separate families and harm vulnerable people. They also point out that using a consumer airline for deportations is risky because it could lead to mistakes and wrongful removals.
Aviation experts say that Avelo’s decision is unprecedented. No other major airline that sells tickets directly to the public has ever taken on this role. They warn that the backlash could hurt Avelo’s reputation for years to come, especially if the protests and boycotts continue.
Airport authorities, meanwhile, stress that their hands are tied by federal law. They cannot refuse service to Avelo without risking their own funding and possibly breaking the law.
Future Outlook and Pending Developments
The controversy over Avelo Airlines and ICE deportation flights is far from over. Activist groups have promised to keep up the pressure, with more protests and boycott campaigns planned in the coming months. In Michigan, the opening of a new GEO Group detention center in Baldwin is likely to keep the issue in the spotlight, especially if there are any signs that Avelo flights are being used to move detainees to or from the facility.
State officials are also considering new ways to pressure Avelo. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has already threatened to take away state support, and other states may follow suit. Some lawmakers are calling for congressional hearings to investigate ICE’s use of commercial airlines for deportations and to demand more transparency from both the government and the airlines involved.
With the Trump administration pushing for more deportations and the opening of new detention centers across the country, the role of airlines like Avelo is likely to come under even greater scrutiny.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Travelers?
For immigrants, the use of a well-known airline for deportations can be deeply unsettling. It raises fears about wrongful removals and the lack of due process. If you or a loved one is facing deportation, it is important to know your rights and to seek legal help as soon as possible. You can find more information about your rights and the deportation process on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s official website.
For travelers, the controversy may affect your choice of airline. Some people may choose to avoid flying with Avelo because of its involvement in deportation flights, while others may not be concerned. If you have questions about Avelo’s flights or want to share your views, you can contact the airline directly through their official website.
For airport officials and local leaders, the situation highlights the limits of local control over federal immigration policy. Even if a community opposes deportations, federal law makes it very hard for airports to refuse service to airlines that have government contracts.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Avelo Airlines is the first major consumer airline to operate ICE deportation flights, starting in May 2025.
- The airline faces strong backlash and boycott calls, especially in Michigan, where it serves Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport.
- Protests have taken place at airports across the country, and online petitions are gaining support.
- No deportation flights have been confirmed at Michigan airports as of late June 2025.
- Federal law prevents airports from refusing service to airlines based on their contracts, limiting local control.
- Elected officials and activists are demanding more transparency about how deportation flights are run and how the rights of deportees are protected.
- The controversy is likely to continue, with more protests, possible legislative action, and ongoing scrutiny of Avelo’s role.
If you are concerned about how these developments might affect you or your community, stay informed by following updates from trusted sources, contacting your elected officials, and seeking legal advice if needed. For official information on immigration enforcement and removal operations, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Removals and Returns page.
As the debate over Avelo Airlines, ICE deportation flights, and the use of Mesa Gateway Airport continues, the outcome will have lasting effects on immigration policy, airline operations, and the lives of thousands of people across the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agency responsible for enforcing immigration and deportation policies.
Deportation flights → Flights used to remove immigrants from the U.S. under government immigration enforcement orders.
Boeing 737-800 → A model of a commercial passenger jet used by Avelo for deportation and regular flights.
Sub-carrier → An airline operating flights under contract or direction from a larger company or government agency.
Transparency → The practice of openly sharing information about operations, policies, and procedures to ensure accountability.
This Article in a Nutshell
Avelo Airlines started ICE deportation flights in May 2025, sparking protests, boycotts, and political pressure, especially in Michigan. The airline uses unmarked planes primarily from Phoenix. Federal law limits local airport control, while elected officials demand transparency to protect deportees’ rights and prevent wrongful removals nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
