Key Takeaways
• Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport facilitated deportation of over 189,000 individuals from 2010 to 2018 as an ICE hub.
• Avelo Airlines ceased operations at Mesa Gateway in August 2021 and has no confirmed involvement in ICE deportation flights.
• iAero Airways conducts many ICE flights from Mesa Gateway under federal contracts, distinct from Avelo’s passenger-focused services.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport 🏴, located in Mesa, Arizona, has consistently been at the center of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation activity. As one of the major hubs for deportation flights, the airport supports significant logistical operations tied to federal immigration enforcement. However, recent speculations have linked Avelo Airlines to deportation flights at this airport. These claims have generated confusion regarding the airline’s involvement. To provide clarity, let us dive into the facts related to this matter, examine Mesa Gateway Airport’s role in deportation operations, and address the broader implications surrounding such practices.
Avelo Airlines and Its Operations: A Closer Look
Avelo Airlines was created as a budget-friendly carrier aimed at providing affordable and convenient travel options. The airline predominantly serves domestic routes in the United States, connecting smaller, underserved cities with major urban centers. It has gained attention for offering reasonably priced airfares and limited-frills services to customers looking for economical travel options. Avelo officially began its operations in 2021 and has since expanded its network in specific regions such as North Carolina.
For a brief period starting in May 2021, Avelo Airlines operated out of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The airline focused on domestic routes that met the demand of the local community. However, their association with Mesa Gateway was short-lived. On August 16, 2021, Avelo discontinued its operations at this airport after only three months, citing the pursuit of new market opportunities elsewhere. As of April 2025, the airline has not returned to Mesa Gateway Airport, nor has it expressed any intention to do so.
Importantly, there is no evidence linking Avelo Airlines to any deportation flights or immigration enforcement programs. The airline’s business strategy has remained centered around passenger services rather than government-related operations. Recent speculation surrounding Avelo’s potential role in deportation flights appears to lack factual grounding.
Mesa Gateway Airport’s History in Deportation Flights
Unlike Avelo Airlines, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has a well-documented history of being closely involved in deportation flights through its partnership with ICE Air Operations. ICE Air is the aviation division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for the coordination of transportation for deportees and detainees. Through government contracts, ICE Air works with airports like Mesa Gateway to execute these flights efficiently.
Between October 2010 and September 2018, Mesa Gateway Airport facilitated the deportation of over 189,000 individuals under ICE Air programs. The airport remains one of just five key hubs that serve ICE deportation activities. The others include Brownsville and San Antonio airports in Texas 🏴, Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana 🏴, and Miami International Airport in Florida 🏴.
From October 2017 to August 2018 alone, more than 32,000 deportation flights carried passengers departing from Mesa Gateway. Interestingly, nearly half (48%) of these individuals did not have any criminal records. The high volume of deportation flights from this particular airport underscores its critical role in supporting federal immigration objectives.
Which Airlines Actually Conduct Deportation Flights?
While ICE oversees the deportation process, the actual flights are carried out by commercial or charter airline operators contracted through ICE’s aviation program. One prominent carrier in these operations is iAero Airways, formerly known as Swift Air. Based in Phoenix 🏴, this airline is widely recognized for managing a significant portion of deportation flights nationwide, including many out of Mesa Gateway Airport.
Avelo Airlines, in contrast, has no record of operating flights for ICE Air. Analysis from VisaVerge.com confirms that as of April 2025, no publicly available data or official documentation suggests any relationship between Avelo Airlines and deportation operations. The airline, fundamentally oriented toward commercial passenger services, has not engaged in any immigration enforcement-related flights.
Speculation regarding Avelo’s involvement could stem from its brief tenure at Mesa Gateway, which may have led to misperceptions. Such misunderstandings highlight the importance of scrutinizing claims before drawing conclusions.
The Challenges and Implications of Hosting Deportation Flights
Deportation flights are not only operationally complex but also controversial in public discourse. Airports and airlines that participate in such activities face a wide range of both practical and ethical considerations.
Economic Benefits for Airports
For airports like Mesa Gateway, hosting deportation flights can provide revenue streams through federal contracts. These contracts often allocate funds to airports for handling logistical tasks such as parking aircraft, maintaining secure tarmac areas, and managing flight schedules. For smaller airports, such funding can bolster their operational budgets and support their growth.
Public Perception and Reputation
However, the financial incentives of hosting deportation flights do not come without risks to reputation. Public dialogue around deportation operations often revolves around the morality and effectiveness of federal immigration enforcement. Critics argue that these flights contribute to family separations, disrupt immigrant communities, and target individuals without criminal histories. Airports associated with deportation practices may find themselves under scrutiny, particularly as community activists and immigrant advocates raise concerns about the societal impact of such activities.
Risk for Participating Airlines
Airlines contracted to conduct deportation flights can similarly become the focus of public criticism. Operators like iAero Airways, which routinely facilitate ICE Air flights, are often called out by activists for their perceived complicity in federal deportation programs. These criticisms can have reputational consequences and sometimes lead to boycotts or protests.
Still, defenders of airlines involved in deportation flights maintain that fulfilling contractual obligations with government entities is a matter of legal compliance and professional responsibility. They position themselves as neutral facilitators carrying out government policies rather than being ideological participants.
Social and Family Impacts
The individuals deported on these flights—and their families—feel the deepest impact of these operations. Deportation often results in the separation of parents and children, spouses, or other dependents, leaving behind emotional damage and economic hardship. Critics argue that policies supporting deportations disproportionately harm vulnerable populations.
Avelo Airlines: Where Does It Stand?
Given its focus on providing low-cost air travel to underserved communities, Avelo Airlines has little to gain from entering into ICE-related flight contracts. Beyond the practical and operational challenges of altering its business model for such purposes, the potential reputational risks associated with deportation flights do not align with its branding strategy.
As of 2025, there is neither evidence nor motivation for Avelo Airlines to participate in deportation flights, debunking claims or assumptions that it might be involved.
Conclusion: Facts Over Assumptions
The intersection of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport’s history in deportation flights and Avelo Airlines’ brief presence there has led to speculation that does not hold up under scrutiny. While Mesa Gateway remains a key player in ICE’s deportation framework, Avelo Airlines has not been connected to such operations. The airline continues to focus its efforts on providing budget-friendly travel options and expanding its network in other regions.
Understanding the broader implications of deportation flights—and separating fact from fiction—requires careful scrutiny of the evidence. These operations are complex and often polarizing, impacting airports, airlines, and communities in distinctive ways. For travelers, immigration advocates, and broader stakeholders, maintaining clarity and accuracy in discussions about deportation flights is essential to fostering an informed dialogue. Visitors seeking more information on immigration enforcement, deportation programs, and aviation policies related to ICE can consult government sources like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s official ICE Air webpage.
Learn Today
Deportation Flights → Flights organized by immigration authorities to remove individuals from a country, often involving extensive logistical operations.
ICE Air Operations → The aviation division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement responsible for coordinating transportation of deportees and detainees.
iAero Airways → A commercial airline contracted by ICE Air to operate deportation flights, formerly known as Swift Air.
Federal Immigration Enforcement → Government actions and policies aimed at managing and regulating immigration, including detentions and deportations.
Reputational Risks → Potential harm to an organization’s public image due to controversial activities or associations, often leading to criticism or boycotts.
This Article in a Nutshell
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport plays a pivotal role in ICE deportation flights, handling thousands annually. Speculation linking Avelo Airlines, a budget-friendly carrier, to these activities is unfounded. Avelo ceased operations at Mesa Gateway in 2021, focusing solely on passenger services. This highlights the importance of distinguishing facts from assumptions in sensitive aviation matters.
— By VisaVerge.com
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