Avelo Airlines, an ulta low-cost carrier with a major hub at the Hollywood Burbank Airport, has reached an agreement with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement on a multi-year deal to provide the agency with charter flights to assist with its deportation efforts.
A spokesperson for the airline confirmed to KTLA that it had signed a long-term contract to provide charter flights to ICE out of the Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona.
Avelo will open a base at the Phoenix-area airport with pilots, flights attendants and technicians on-site, and will close down one of its other bases located in Sonoma County in Northern California.
CEO Andrew Levy released a statement in which he described the subject of the airline partnering with the controversial law enforcement agency as 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,” Levy said.
The company says it is acting within existing corporate policy to partner with ICE, telling KTLA that as a U.S.-based airline, “when our country calls and requests assistance, Avelo’s practice is to say yes.”
Avelo had previously flown charter flights under the Biden Administration, the spokesperson added, although the extent of which was not disclosed.
The effort will include the use of three Boeing 737-800s that are based at Mesa Gateway Airport, with service expected to begin on May 12.
“Flights will be both domestic and international to support the Department’s deportation efforts,” Avelo said.
A budget airline that only began operations under its current brand in 2021, Avelo has been attempting to expand quickly and fill gaps in service in cities that other big name airlines have ignored or abandoned.
Its base at Sonoma County Airport was part of that effort, but officials said it hasn’t proven to be profitable, which has led to the decision to move its base to Arizona, reduce the amounts of flights it offers from Sonoma, and partner with ICE for a better financial outlook.
Avelo will continue to fly out of the airport, with stops to Las Vegas and Bend, Oregon, as well as California cities Burbank, Redmond and Palm Springs.
Current employees will be provided the opportunity to transfer to any base with current openings, Avelo said, but the company is aware this likely means some employees will lose their jobs.
“We will, unfortunately, have to say goodbye to some great Crewmembers,” officials said.
A local hiring effort in Arizona is expected to begin immediately.