Avelo Airlines, a low-cost carrier operating in dozens of markets across the U.S., will be closing its base in Mesa, Arizona, and concluding “all participation” in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charter program that deported illegal immigrants from the U.S., according to the airline.
Avelo’s decision comes after months of pushback from criticism over the carrier’s participation in the DHS program.
“Avelo will close the base at AZA on January 27 and will conclude all participation in the DHS charter program. The program provided short-term benefits but ultimately did not deliver enough consistent and predictable revenue to overcome its operational complexity and costs,” a spokesperson for Avelo wrote in a statement shared with Nexstar.
Avelo’s statement did not say whether criticism over its DHS charter flights played a factor in the decision to discontinue participation. But in an email announcing the decision to Avelo employees on Tuesday, CEO Andrew Levy acknowledged that its participation “placed us in the center of a political controversy,” CNBC reported. Avelo’s spokesperson confirmed the veracity of the email.
Still, the Avelo statement shared with Nexstar claimed the DHS program had no impact on passenger volume.
“We did not see an impact regarding Customers choosing to fly,” according to the statement. “In 2025, Avelo carried a record 2.6 million Customers on scheduled commercial service, 11% higher than in 2024, with minimal seat growth. Our load factor also increased from 2024.”
The airline had originally announced in April that it would assist the Trump administration’s efforts to deport immigrants by signing a long-term charter agreement to fly for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The move prompted protestors to rally outside over a dozen airports where Avelo operates.
In addition to closing its Mesa base, Avelo announced this week that the airport is closing bases in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Avelo currently has operating bases in New Haven, Connecticut; Wilmington, Delaware; Concord, North Carolina, and Lakeland, Florida. Another is planned for McKinney, Texas, in 2026.
They got their free cash. Boycott.