\u201cThe primary reason Avelo\u2019s performance did not meet expectations in Q12025 centers around New Haven (HVN), which until now has been a source of strength in our portfolio,\u201d Levy wrote in that April 3 email. \u200b\u201cAs expected, Breeze\u2019s arrival in New Haven and competition in six markets hurt our results. But perhaps even more impactful has been the substantial increase in competitive seat capacity in nearby airports from JetBlue, Breeze, Frontier, Spirit, and others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wrote that, in the first quarter of 2025, seats to markets served by Avelo \u200b\u201cincreased by over 20%\u201d from Tweed, Bradley, and White Plains airports. That competition has led Avelo to post \u200b\u201cour worst quarterly results since 2023, breaking a string of year-over-year improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Levy also blamed Tweed\u2019s airport management company, Avports, for Avelo\u2019s recent struggles in New Haven. He wrote that Avports \u200b\u201coverscheduled flights at the airport by ignoring scheduling rules in place since we started flying there in November 2021. This created a terrible experience for our Customers and our Crewmembers. We believe this had\u2009\u2014\u2009and may still be having\u2009\u2014\u2009a negative effect on our HVN revenue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Tweed airport spokesperson dismissed this Avports critique as \u200b\u201cboth bizarre and untrue.\u201d The spokesperson described Tweed as \u200b\u201cthe fastest-expanding airport in the country\u201d over the past year. \u200b\u201cIn fact, it\u2019s clear that HVN\u2019s exceptional performance has helped power Avelo\u2019s national expansion, as they have since expanded into new or slower-performing markets, all while Tweed continues to shatter previous records.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Levy\u2019s April 3 email continued by identifying, \u200b\u201cperhaps of greatest concern,\u201d the \u200b\u201cunmistakable evidence of a decline in consumer confidence, which means consumers are more likely to take one less trip, instead of one more. Consumer confidence numbers are especially negative in the Northeast, so it is one more factor affecting HVN performance. This behavioral shift by consumers is visible across our entire network, not just in Connecticut.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make up for revenue lost in the realm of passenger travel at Tweed, Levy wrote, Avelo has turned to \u200b\u201clong-term charter programs\u201d\u2009\u2014\u2009including with the federal government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s how Avelo ended up signing the contract with ICE to run deportation flights out of Mesa, Ariz., starting on May 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI realize some may view the decision to fly for DHS as controversial,\u201d Levy wrote. \u200b\u201cWhile these flights have been regularly occurring for over forty years, they are currently receiving an increased amount of media attention. After extensive deliberations with our board of directors and our senior leaders, we concluded this new opportunity was too valuable not to pursue, as it will help us stabilize our finances and allow us to continue our journey. Regardless of your personal views on current political events, I know we will all continue to focus on providing the high-quality service Avelo has become known for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a follow-up comment provided to the Independent on Monday, Levy added through a company spokesperson, \u200b\u201cWe realize this is 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Avelo spokesperson, Courtney Goff, declined to comment on Levy\u2019s April 4 email besides the statements that Avelo had sent out on Monday about its new deportation-flight contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Someone with knowledge of the airline industry nationwide, who asked to remain anonymous due to the volatility of the current political moment, questioned Avelo\u2019s decision to justify its ICE deportation contract by pointing to struggles with its passenger-travel business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery individual and company must define their morals by what their conscience can sustain,\u201d he said. \u200b\u201cThey must own those decisions fully, without shifting blame for their ethical path. It\u2019s striking that Avelo justifies its moral stance by suggesting other forces left them no choice\u2009\u2014\u2009akin to \u200b\u2018they made me do it.\u2019 As an old stalwart<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tom Cartwright, a flight data analyst for the advocacy group Witness at the Border, whose social media feeds are closely watched in immigration circles, said he isn\u2019t aware of any other commercial airlines that have provided such flights for ICE in the past five years he\u2019s been tracking flights. He called the decision by Avelo \u201cunusual\u201d considering charter companies the public likely hasn\u2019t heard of typically make these flights.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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