Budget Airline Cancels Its Deportation Contract With ICE, Citing ‘Political Controversy’
Low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines has canceled its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ending its involvement in deportation flights less than a year after the agreement began.
The airline also announced it will shut down its base in Mesa, Arizona, later this month. According to a company spokesperson, the ICE program offered only limited short-term benefits and failed to generate enough reliable revenue to justify its operational complexity and costs.
Avelo CEO Andrew Levy acknowledged that political backlash played a role in the decision. In a statement, Levy said the airline moved part of its fleet into a government program that promised financial stability but instead placed the company at the center of political controversy.
Local politician here 👋🏻
We just shut down Avelo Airlines’ partnership with DHS for ICE deportations.
If we can do this now, imagine what we can do when we bring our movement to Congress.
Follow our primary vs. the only FL Dem to vote for Republicans’ pro-ICE Laken Riley Act. https://t.co/iYahmjOvCN pic.twitter.com/bPxnPec84O
— Oliver Larkin for Congress (@OliverALarkin) January 8, 2026
My reaction to Avelo Airlines’ decision to end its partnership with ICE 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/xxAGkW1jyQ
— Senator Jeremy Cooney (@SenatorCooney) January 8, 2026
“Avelo Airlines just announced that it is ending its contract with the Trump administration to deport undocumented immigrants—a big win from months of pressure from immigrant activists, community groups, and unions. pic.twitter.com/ugG1wV3Qyx
— Fight for a Union (@FightForAUnion) January 8, 2026
The decision follows a coordinated campaign by left-wing activists aimed at pressuring the airline and discouraging customers from flying with Avelo due to its work with ICE.
Seth Miller, a Democratic state representative from New Hampshire, helped lead a protest campaign near Tweed New Haven Airport with signage reading, “Does your vacation support their deportation? Just say AvelNO!” Miller told Axios that while Avelo’s withdrawal would not end deportations, he viewed the move as a positive step and said the company paid a reputational price for its participation.
Democratic activists and lawmakers celebrated the announcement on social media. ICE typically relies on a mix of chartered and commercial flights for deportations, with the majority operated by Avelo, GlobalX, and Eastern Air Express.
UPDATE: In an additional statement to @FoxNews, Hilton says they’ve been directly in touch the independent ownership of the hotel & they have apologized for the actions of their team & have taken immediate action to rectify the situation.
Statement from Everpeak (ownership). 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/lVduljeS1d
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 5, 2026
As ICE expands enforcement efforts nationwide, several private companies have faced increasing political pressure to cut ties with the agency.
Earlier this week, a Hilton property in Minneapolis canceled reservations for ICE agents, citing the agents’ immigration-related work in an email. Hilton later reprimanded the independently operated hotel and stated it does not tolerate discrimination against guests based on their profession.
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