Credit: Grok AI
The low-cost Avelo Airlines has cancelled its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Less than a year after signing a deal to carry out deportation flights for ICE, the airline will close its base in Mesa, Arizona later this month.
“The program provided short-term benefits but ultimately did not deliver enough consistent and predictable revenue to overcome its operational complexity and costs,” a company spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, CEO Andrew Levy cited “political controversy” as their reason for canceling the contract.
“We moved a portion of our fleet into a government program which promised more financial stability but placed us in the center of a political controversy,” he wrote.
The move comes after a succesful campaign by left-wing activists to try and damage the company’s reputation and encourage people not to give them their business.
Seth Miller, a Democratic tate representative form New Hampshire, launched a campaign near Tweed New Haven Airport with the message: “Does your vacation support their deportation? Just say AvelNO!”
“This move will not end the deportations, but it is good to see a company dropping out of the business, and paying a price for its participation along the way,” he told Axios.
Many Democrats took to social media to celebrate their supposed achievement.
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
ICE typically uses both charted and commercial flights for its deportation program.
The large majority of deportation flights are operated by Avelo, GlobalX, and Eastern Air Express.
As ICE ramps up its operations across the country, many companies are bowing to left-wing pressure not to work with the federal agency.
Just this week, a Hilton property in Minneapolis canceled a reservation for ICE agents.
“After further investigation online, we have found information about immigration work connected to your name, and we will be canceling your reservation,” they wrote in an email to the agents.
Hilton Hotel has since reprimanded the independently-run hotel and ensured that such discrimination does not happen again.
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
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