Avelo Airlines is ending its participation in US government deportation flights, bringing a close to a controversial chapter that placed the ultra-low-cost carrier in an unfamiliar and politically charged role.The airline will shut down its base in Mesa, Arizona, on January 27, 2026, and conclude all flying under the Department of Homeland Security’s charter program, the company said. Avelo had operated deportation flights for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through CSI Aviation.“The program provided short-term benefits but ultimately did not deliver enough consistent and predictable revenue to overcome its operational complexity and costs,” the airline said.The decision marks a strategic retreat from a business line that was unusual for a publicly branded commercial airline. Deportation flights are typically handled by charter operators that operate largely outside of public view. Avelo, which launched service in 2021, became one of the few scheduled passenger airlines to publicly acknowledge flying removal missions for the government.
Avelo first disclosed the ICE partnership in April 2025, saying at the time that the contract would provide financial stability and support growth. The airline used three Boeing 737-800s to operate domestic and international deportation flights.
That move quickly drew criticism from lawmakers, local officials, and advocacy groups. While Avelo has consistently said the work did not affect customer demand, CEO Andrew Levy later acknowledged that the operation placed the company “in the center of a political controversy,” according to a message to employees cited by CNBC