Under contract with the Immigration Customs and Enforcement agency, Avelo Airlines began operating deportation flights from Arizona in May of 2025.
That same month it launched regularly scheduled regional airline service from Grand Rapids’ Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
Area protesters focused on the airline’s alignment with ICE.
“We wanted to put pressure on the airport to drop the contract with Avelo once we found out that they were deporting people to El Salvador and making money off of the cruelty of this whole ICE action.”
John Haines is with advocacy organization Kent County Indivisible, one of several groups protesting at the airport entrance and launching a social media campaign.
“They were consistently putting posts on Facebook and Instagram to say don't buy tickets, don't support this airline. I'm certain it hurt their reputation. And probably their bottom line.”
In a written response to WGVU News, Avelo Airlines stated:
“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.
We did not see an impact regarding Customers choosing to fly Avelo. 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. With our unique combination of everyday low fares, easy and convenient to use base airports, delivered with leading reliability, it is no surprise that Customers continue to embrace us.”
Thank you,
Courtney Goff
Communications Manager | Avelo Airlines
Haines is pleased with Avelo’s decision but says protests will continue.
“I do know that the protest against Avelo was part of a larger campaign that's going on right now to pass sanctuary policies in the entire county.”
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