Avelo Airlines has signed a long-term charter agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to operate deportation flights, a move the airline says will help stabilize its core passenger business as demand for low-cost travel declines.
The Houston-based carrier announced last week that it will begin operating both domestic and international charter flights for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security starting May 12. The flights will be operated out of Mesa, Arizona, using three of the airline’s fleet of 20 Boeing 737 aircraft.
To support the new contract, Avelo is opening a crew base at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The airline has begun hiring pilots, flight attendants, and maintenance technicians immediately.
“Current Avelo crew members will have the first option to transfer to our new [Mesa] base,” the airline said in a statement.
The move marks a strategic shift for the startup airline as it seeks to maintain financial stability in a challenging market for budget carriers.
