Fact Check: Avelo Airlines partnered with ICE for deportation flights, prompting calls for boycott.

Fact Check: Avelo Airlines Partnered with ICE for Deportation Flights, Prompting Calls for Boycott

What We Know

In April 2025, Avelo Airlines announced a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct deportation flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This contract, valued at approximately $150 million, involved Avelo operating flights from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, a hub for ICE operations (source-1). Following the announcement, there was significant public backlash, leading to protests and calls for a boycott of the airline. Activist groups, including the New Haven Immigrants Coalition, launched campaigns urging the public to refrain from flying with Avelo until it terminates its contract with ICE. A petition advocating for the boycott quickly gained traction, amassing nearly 40,000 signatures (source-4).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that Avelo Airlines partnered with ICE for deportation flights is robust. Multiple reputable sources confirm that Avelo signed a contract with ICE to facilitate deportation flights, marking a significant shift in the airline's operations. Avelo's CEO, Andrew Levy, acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue but justified the decision as essential for the airline's financial viability (source-1).

The backlash against Avelo has been widespread, with protests occurring in various cities, including Albany, New York, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Demonstrators have expressed their opposition to the airline's involvement in deportations, arguing that it undermines due process and human rights (source-5). Additionally, the legal actions taken by individuals like New Hampshire state representative Seth Miller, who filed a lawsuit over a billboard campaign criticizing Avelo, further illustrate the public's discontent (source-1).

While some sources may exhibit a bias against the airline due to the nature of the topic, the consistency of the reports across various media outlets, including NPR and CBS News, lends credibility to the claims regarding Avelo's partnership with ICE (source-3, source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that Avelo Airlines partnered with ICE for deportation flights, prompting calls for a boycott, is True. The evidence is well-documented and corroborated by multiple reliable sources. The public response, including protests and petitions, reflects widespread opposition to the airline's decision to engage in deportation flights, highlighting the significant social implications of this partnership.

Fact Check: Avelo Airlines partnered with ICE for deportation flights, prompting calls for boycott.