Avelo Airlines responds to outcry over ICE charter deportation program

NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) - Avelo Airlines provided a little more context about its controversial program through which it partnered with ICE to deport immigrants the government deems to be illegal.

The partnership sparked an outcry from activists and New Haven city officials, who argued that it was unethical.

“We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic,” said Andrew Levy, Avelo Airlines founder and CEO. “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.”

Courtney Goff, Avelo’s communications manager, said the airline signed the agreement was for a long-term charter program.

She pointed out that the same kind of flights were flown during the Biden Administration.

“Regardless of the administration or party affiliation, as a U.S. flag carrier when our country calls and requests assistance our practice is to say ‘yes,‘” Goff said. “We follow all protocols from [Department of Homeland Security] and [Federal Aviation Administration], honoring our core value of safety always.”

Goff said the new program was slated to start on May 12 and that flights would be both domestic and international.