Avelo to End Deportation Flights Over Revenue Shortfalls

Avelo Airlines is getting out of the deportation flights business, and that matters to you in two very different ways. If you’re an Avelo customer, it likely means less distraction and more focus on scheduled flying. If you live near Mesa Gateway (AZA), it also means a base closure date you can circle now.

Here’s how Avelo’s decision stacks up against the main alternatives in the ICE Air ecosystem: purpose-built charter operators that don’t sell you tickets at all.

This is a comparison you rarely see spelled out. Most travelers only notice these arrangements when protests hit an airport, or when a headline mentions the Department of Homeland Security.

The distinction between a consumer airline and a government charter provider changes what you can book, what protections apply, and what happens when public pressure rises.

Avelo vs ICE charter specialists: side-by-side

Overview and context: what Avelo is exiting, and why it matters

Avelo Airlines is ending its participation connected to deportation flights tied to the Department of Homeland Security. the airline said the work failed to provide “consistent and predictable revenue.”

The airline also pointed to the operational complexity and costs of the work. For travelers, the key is the difference between a commercial airline and a government charter operator.

A commercial airline sells you tickets on published routes. A charter provider flies missions arranged by a government customer, often through a broker. That means you can’t comparison-shop these flights on Google Flights, or redeem points for them.

Avelo’s move is notable because it’s a consumer brand stepping away from a politically charged niche. That creates a case study for other airlines and forces DHS and ICE Air planners to shift flying to other operators.

In this guide, you’ll get three things. First, what Avelo and DHS actually said, and why wording matters. Second, the scale of Avelo’s role in ICE Air operations. Third, what changes for passengers, employees, and communities near affected bases.

Official statements and dates: what was said, and why the wording matters

Avelo’s public position is straightforward. The airline said it will close its Mesa Gateway base on January 27 and end its DHS charter participation.

The airline framed the charter work as a short-term financial win that did not pencil out long term. DHS responded with a clarification that matters for accountability and contracting.

DHS said on January 8 that ICE “never contracted directly with Avelo Airlines.” DHS also said ICE will continue to use its contracted service provider. That provider works with multiple airlines.

A reported internal employee message from Avelo’s CEO added a third layer. In that message, he described moving part of the fleet into a government program that promised stability and referenced the political controversy. He said it did not deliver the profit Avelo expected.

Those statements can all be true at once. Here’s how to read it in plain English:

• “No direct contract.” Can mean ICE’s paperwork and payments ran through a prime contractor or broker.
• “Participated in the program.” Can still mean Avelo operated flights as a subcontractor.
• For travelers, the contracting chain mostly affects transparency and how quickly capacity can be replaced.

The timeline matters because it lines up with operational decisions. Avelo tied its exit to a base closure, not just a quiet contract wind-down. That signals a clean break, and a redeployment of aircraft back to public flying.

Key facts and statistics: scale, aircraft, and what “share of flights” really means

Avelo wasn’t a marginal player in this space. Between May and December 2025, Avelo operated 1,945 ICE Air flights. That represented about 18% of U.S. immigration enforcement flights in that window.

There’s also a bigger enforcement trend in the background. In 2025, there were 13,446 immigration enforcement flights. That total was up 84% from 2024.

Those three numbers tell you two things at once. First, Avelo had real volume. Second, the overall demand environment was rising fast, which makes sudden exits harder to absorb.

Operationally, Avelo flew these missions as a subcontractor to CSI Aviation, which has acted as a key broker in this ecosystem. Avelo dedicated three Boeing 737-800s to the work.

The 737-800 is a common, flexible jet. It’s also easy to reassign back into scheduled service. One caution on interpreting the “May–December” window: it can hide ramp-up and seasonality.

Charter flying can surge with policy shifts, budget timing, or enforcement priorities. A partial-year snapshot can make “share of flights” swing more than you’d expect.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re tracking whether this affects your local airport, watch weekly aircraft movements, not headlines. One 737 reassignment can change patterns fast.

Significance and impact: why Avelo’s exit is a big deal

Avelo appears to have been the only commercial airline that both sold you tickets and flew these deportation flights. That makes it uniquely exposed to public pressure. Charter specialists don’t have the same consumer-facing brand risk.

From a market perspective, this is a warning shot. It tells other low-cost carriers that charter revenue can look stable on paper but still be volatile. The volatility comes from three places:

• Public controversy, which can hit leisure demand and airport relationships.
• Operational complexity, including positioning aircraft and crew scheduling.
• Contracting layers, where a subcontractor can see demand shift suddenly.

On capacity, losing an operator that handled about one-fifth of flights in a period creates a gap. In practice, ICE Air can respond in a few ways: increase flying with existing charter providers, add vendors through brokers, or procure aircraft.

DHS has already signaled that direction. In December 2025, DHS signed a $140 million contract with Daedalus Aviation to acquire six Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. That’s a major investment in dedicated capacity, rather than relying only on third parties.

For travelers, this procurement does not create bookable routes. But it does matter for airport activity and can shape the political debate around who is doing the flying.

Impact on affected individuals: passengers, employees, and local communities

Deportation continuity: what changes, and what doesn’t

DHS has said ICE Air operations will continue through contracted providers. Names in the broader ecosystem include GlobalX and Eastern Air Express. So the enforcement flights do not hinge on Avelo alone.

If you’re looking for a practical implication, it’s this: the visible “commercial airline” angle may fade, while the underlying activity continues with charter specialists.

Workers and base closures

Avelo tied its exit to base closures, including Mesa. The airline also cited restructuring tied to other bases. Base closures can mean layoffs, commuting requirements, and displacement for contractors at the airport.

What to watch is not just a closure date. Watch how many aircraft remain overnight at the airport. That is often the clearest indicator of staffing needs.

Commercial passengers: will your Avelo flight be canceled?

In the short term, your scheduled Avelo trips may be unaffected. The charter flying used a limited number of aircraft. Those aircraft can be returned to Avelo’s published network.

Over the medium term, network priorities can shift. Avelo has signaled a refocus on scheduled service and plans a new hub in Dallas/McKinney (TKI) in late 2026. The airline also ordered 100 Embraer 195-E2 aircraft, which points to a longer-term fleet reset.

That fleet move matters for comfort and route maps. The E195-E2 typically supports thinner routes with better economics than a 737 and can change seat counts and frequencies.

⚠️ Heads Up: If you fly out of AZA, build in extra backup options for spring. Base closures can lead to quiet schedule trims.

Miles and points implications: this is mostly a cash-fare story

Avelo is not a major player for points and miles strategies. There’s no large, bank-transfer loyalty currency sweet spot here. For most travelers, the “points” angle is indirect.

Here’s the real playbook:

• Pay with a card that has strong trip delay and cancellation coverage.
• Use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases.
• If fares drop, watch Avelo’s change and credit policies carefully.

If you’re status-chasing on a legacy airline, Avelo flying does not help. If you need elite perks, you’ll usually do better on American, Delta, or United, especially on irregular operations days.

Choose Avelo vs choose charter specialists: real-world scenarios

Choose Avelo if…

• You want low fares on point-to-point domestic leisure routes.
• You prefer an airline that is refocusing on scheduled service.
• You can travel light and avoid add-on fees.
• You have backup airport options if frequencies are limited.

Avelo can be a solid deal when the schedule fits. But ULCC-style pricing means you must price bags, seats, and changes upfront.

Choose charter specialists if…

You can’t, at least not as a normal traveler. These aren’t consumer choices. The better comparison is about what you’re reacting to as a customer or community member.

If your concern is ethical or political, Avelo exiting removes one consumer brand from the chain. It does not remove the chain itself. DHS has made clear it intends to continue operations through its providers.

If you’re an immigrant, visa holder, or mixed-status family traveler

This news can raise anxiety, even if you never fly Avelo. Enforcement flight growth can mean increased activity at certain airports. If you’re traveling while your status is in flux, focus on practical travel hygiene.

• Carry the right originals and copies for your status and travel purpose.
• Avoid last-minute domestic trips if you have pending deadlines.
• If you need international travel, plan for re-entry risks and timing.

Airlines do not control enforcement actions. But airport environments can feel different when activity increases.

Official sources and references: what’s confirmed, what’s reported

Avelo’s base closure and its reason for exiting have been stated publicly by the airline. DHS also issued a statement describing the contracting model and the intent to continue ICE Air operations.

Separate reporting referenced an internal CEO message to employees. Treat that as reported internal context, not a policy statement. It helps explain motivation, especially around profitability and controversy.

Data about flight counts and shares has been compiled by outside monitoring and reporting groups. When you see numbers tied to a date window, check the window first. Then check whether it covers domestic, international, or both.

For updates, prioritize three channels:

• DHS public releases and on-the-record statements
• Company statements from Avelo and any named charter carriers
• Flight tracking and airport filings that show actual aircraft movements

Illustrative visuals and data opportunities: what to watch next

Three developments would change this story fast.

• Named replacement capacity. New lift from existing charter providers or new vendors in the broker network.
• Execution of the DHS aircraft procurement. If those aircraft enter service on schedule, reliance on subcontracted lift could shift.
• Local airport impacts. Mesa Gateway is the flashpoint because Avelo tied the exit to a base closure. Watch for schedule filings, overnight aircraft counts, and staffing notices.

Avelo’s commercial operations are still a separate product you can buy. If you’re booking Avelo in early 2026, the practical move is to confirm your flight times weekly and lock in refundable hotels.

If you’re flying in or out of AZA, build a backup plan before January 27, when the base closure takes effect.