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Low-fare airline Avelo has reportedly begun its flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as of Monday.
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Budget air carrier Avelo isn't letting threats of boycotts, protesters or an end to fuel tax exemption stop it from operating deportation flights for ICE
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The New York Times reports the startup airline's first flight for the Trump administration Monday morning took off from Mesa, Arizona, landing in Louisiana Monday afternoon
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Just one of five locations where the air carrier will operate ICE flights
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The inaugural flight follows Avello's agreement to operate deportation flights for ICE last month
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It also comes as New York and Connecticut lawmakers threatened to remove fuel tax exemptions for airlines operating flights for ICE
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The Trump administration currently finds itself in a legal battle over deportation flights
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with critics accusing the federal government of deporting people without due process
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While Avello launched its coordination with ICE, more than 100 people gathered outside Tweed New Haven Airport in protest over the airline's decision to work with ICE
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No deportation flights operated by Avello took off or landed at the Connecticut airport, but Avello does operate commercial flights from the airport
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One traveler tells local news station WT&H he understands the decision. I not necessarily one side or the other although I see Avello I mean that green money right Avello CEO would agree In a reported email from early April he admitted the opportunity was too valuable to pass up and the ICE flights provide reliable revenue at a time
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when the airline is struggling to break even. Some airlines have made millions on deportation
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flights. But protesters say no matter the opportunity, it doesn't make it right
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They have a moral responsibility to say no, to not participate in something that is so immoral
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Avello responded to the demonstration in New Haven in a statement saying
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while we recognize the right of individuals to peacefully assemble, Avello's main priority will continue to be maintaining the safety and timeliness of our operation
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Avello also notes it operated similar flights for the Biden administration saying
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when our country calls, our practice is to say yes, in a statement to the Times
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A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told the Times Tuesday
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the Trump administration is deporting criminals. She accused protesters of attempting nothing more
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than a tired tactic to abolish ICE by proxy. The department's assistant secretary of public
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affairs said attacks and demonization of ICE and our partners is wrong. Avelo's inaugural ICE
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flight also comes as a petition circulates to pressure their company to drop its contract
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with the Trump administration. For more on this story, download the Straight Hour News app or
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visit san.com. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey
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