Quantcast

Avelo Airlines faces scrutiny over ICE deportation flights amid expansion

Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Avelo Airlines faces scrutiny over ICE deportation flights amid expansion
Policy

Avelo Airlines, a low-cost carrier in the United States, has maintained a unique presence in the aviation industry by focusing on smaller markets rather than major cities. Despite its niche status, Avelo plays a significant role in U.S. commercial aviation.

The airline is classified as an ultra-low-cost carrier, similar to Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Avelo operates from multiple bases across the country and has undergone several rebrandings over the years. Initially established as Casino Express Airlines in 1987, it later became Xtra Airways before adopting its current name in 2021.

Andrew Levy acquired Xtra Airways in 2018 with plans to transform it into an ultra-low-cost carrier capable of competing with established players. By April 2021, Avelo began selling tickets from Hollywood Burbank Airport and gradually expanded its network despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

In recent developments, Avelo signed a charter program with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division to support deportation efforts. This decision sparked public criticism and calls for boycotts due to concerns about employee impacts at various operating bases.

CEO Andrew Levy addressed these concerns by stating that "we realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic." He emphasized that the charter flights would provide stability for expanding scheduled passenger services while maintaining employment for over 1,100 crew members.

Avelo continues to grow its operations across multiple bases and recently announced plans for international routes to Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Long Beach Airport has announced a new daily nonstop service to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) through Southwest Airlines.

Jun 7, 2025

Lidl workers in Belgium initiated a strike and blockades on June 5, following similar actions in France and Italy.

Jun 6, 2025

Delta Air Lines is expanding its flight offerings for the 2025 pro football season, introducing new routes and increasing capacity to accommodate fans traveling to major games.

Jun 6, 2025

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen addressed the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, emphasizing the urgent need to reform the nation's air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure.

Jun 6, 2025

Last month, over 130 volunteers from Delta Air Lines and several partner organizations collaborated to construct a new playground in College Park, Georgia.

Jun 6, 2025

Walking together on Omaha Beach, 19-year-old college student Caleb Walker and 101-year-old WWII veteran Jack Myers reflected on the sacrifices made during the D-Day invasion.

Jun 6, 2025