Avelo Airlines, a budget carrier based in Texas, has announced its withdrawal from a controversial charter program with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The move follows operational challenges and costs that outweighed the short-term benefits of the program.
The airline faced significant backlash from both customers and employees over its role in deportation flights, which were part of a contract established under the Trump administration. This controversy has likely contributed to the decision to cease participation in the program.
An Avelo spokesperson stated that although the program offered initial advantages, it failed to provide the consistent and predictable revenue needed to justify its complexities and expenses. The exit from the program marks a strategic shift for the carrier as it reevaluates its operational priorities.
