Avelo Airlines (XP, Burbank) has signed an agreement with the US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Immigration Control and Enforcement agency to carry out deportation flights from Mesa Gateway Airport, starting on May 12, 2025.
The carrier will use three B737-800s for this charter program, basing them in Mesa. In parallel, it plans to open a crew base to support the deportation operations and it is currently hiring flight attendants. “Flights will be both domestic and international trips to support DHS’s efforts,” it said.
Andrew Levy, founder and chief executive of Avelo Airlines said that they are aware that deportation operations are a sensitive and complicated topic. “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.”
The ch-aviation fleets module shows Avelo Airlines’ fleet comprises eight B737-700s and twelve B737-800s. It has nine bases across the United States: Burbank, Concord, NC, Hartford Bradley, Lakeland, New Haven, Orlando International, Raleigh/Durham, Santa Rosa, CA, and Wilmington New Castle.
