Key Takeaways
• Avelo Airlines’ deportation contract with ICE begins May 12, 2025, using three Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Arizona.
• Flights at Glacier Park International Airport and routes to California remain unchanged, with prices staying between $70 to $200.
• Avelo’s ICE partnership drew public criticism, but the airline guarantees no impact on Montana services or passenger experience.
Avelo Airlines recently made headlines when news broke of its new agreement with the United States 🇺🇸 federal government to operate deportation flights starting in 2025. Many people worried that this deal, made with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), would affect Avelo’s regular flights for travelers—especially those at Montana 🇺🇸’s Glacier Park International Airport. However, Avelo Airlines has made it clear this is not the case. The airline promises its passenger service to Glacier Park International Airport will continue as planned. Let’s look deeper into what’s happening, what the ICE deal covers, and what it means for everyday travelers like you.
Avelo Airlines and ICE: What’s the Deal?
On April 15, 2025, Avelo Airlines announced it had signed a long-term charter contract with ICE, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security in the United States 🇺🇸. The contract says Avelo will use three Boeing 737-800 planes only for deportation flights. These flights are planned to start on May 12, 2025. All flights for ICE will begin from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona 🇺🇸.
Under this agreement, Avelo Airlines will help ICE by flying people who are being deported both inside the United States 🇺🇸 (domestic) and to other countries (international). Carrying out this contract is a big move for Avelo because, as flight data expert Tom Cartwright from Witness at the Border points out, commercial airlines rarely take on deportation flights. Over the last five years, only smaller, lesser-known charter companies that don’t sell tickets to the public have taken part in things like this.
Service to Glacier Park International Airport Unchanged
One of the main concerns after the news broke was how this would change things for normal passengers—especially those using Avelo’s popular seasonal flights into and out of Glacier Park International Airport. Some travelers worried that resources, planes, or staff might be pulled from Montana 🇺🇸 to help with the ICE contract, leaving fewer flights or options for the general public.
Avelo Airlines has answered those concerns directly. The airline states that none of its operations at Glacier Park International Airport will be touched by the ICE deal. Flights will run as scheduled, and there are no plans to change how Avelo serves Montana 🇺🇸 travelers. These direct flights have become important for connecting the rugged beauty of northwest Montana 🇺🇸 with sunny California 🇺🇸 getaways and family destinations.
Flights Between Montana 🇺🇸 and California 🇺🇸 Stay the Same
Avelo currently offers two main direct routes linking Glacier Park International Airport to major places in California 🇺🇸:
– Hollywood Burbank Airport
– Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport
These routes make it easier for Montana 🇺🇸 locals to visit California 🇺🇸 for business, vacation, or to see family and friends. In the other direction, California 🇺🇸 travelers can fly directly into the heart of one of Montana 🇺🇸’s most beautiful areas.
The flights are set to return twice each week in June 2025, which is just after the ICE contract starts. Fares for these flights will keep ranging from $70 up to $200 one-way, making them accessible for many travelers who might be watching their budget.
Avelo’s Start at Glacier Park International Airport
Avelo began scheduled passenger service from Glacier Park International Airport in May 2024. For many people in Montana 🇺🇸, this provided a fresh and affordable option to fly directly between their region and two appealing California 🇺🇸 destinations. The airline operates inside the main terminal, which means it’s easy to find and use for first-time flyers and regulars alike.
If you plan to take an Avelo flight from Glacier Park International Airport, here’s what you need to know:
– Arrive at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure
– The ticket counter opens about two hours before the flight and closes 40 minutes before takeoff
This schedule helps keep things running smoothly and allows plenty of time for check-in and security.
Dealing with Criticism and Controversy
While the ICE contract might not affect flights in Montana 🇺🇸, the deal itself has caused a lot of heated discussion. Some people are upset that a commercial airline known for providing budget-friendly travel is now partnering with ICE for deportation flights. This reaction has included calls for boycotts, angry posts online, and even suggestions by some officials that their state governments might stop doing business with Avelo. These responses show just how tough and emotional immigration issues can be in the United States 🇺🇸 right now.
Avelo Airlines’ leadership, especially CEO Andrew Levy, has not ignored the public backlash. He commented directly about the situation, saying, “We 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.”
That last point highlights an important part of the story. For Avelo, the ICE charter deal is meant to provide money that helps the airline grow and keep jobs secure. The company says that by taking on this contract, it can offer more consistent pay for its workers, continue opening new routes, and keep offering regular flights for everyday passengers.
A Rare Move in US Aviation
According to Tom Cartwright, with the Witness at the Border advocacy group, it’s rare to see a commercial airline like Avelo take part in deportation flights for ICE. In the past five years, he doesn’t know of any other major US airline taking on these flights. Deportation flights are usually done by charter companies that most travelers have never heard of and that don’t fly the public anywhere.
This decision by Avelo marks a new direction for how airlines sometimes get involved in government contracts—including controversial ones that can draw public scrutiny. Some people feel disappointed that a passenger airline would partner with ICE; others see it as simply a business decision, especially as the airline industry deals with rising costs and competitive pressure.
What This Means for Travelers at Glacier Park International Airport
So, what does all this mean for you—if you’re flying in or out of Montana 🇺🇸 later this year or in 2025? According to Avelo’s official statements, you won’t see any changes due to the ICE contract. Flights to Hollywood Burbank Airport and Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport from Glacier Park International Airport will run on their usual schedule twice a week. Ticket prices will stay between $70 and $200, and there’s been no talk of reducing flights, cutting service, or changing the customer experience in Montana 🇺🇸.
If you have a trip planned with Avelo Airlines in the coming year, you can expect the same level of service and the same options that got you interested in flying with Avelo in the first place.
Balancing Business, Jobs, and Public Image
The debate about Avelo’s deal with ICE is a strong example of how the airline industry sometimes must balance different interests. On one hand, there is clear public discomfort about companies working with government agencies like ICE, especially around the emotional subject of deportation. On the other hand, airlines like Avelo point to the need for financial stability, job security, and continued company growth.
Andrew Levy, Avelo’s CEO, puts a focus on the jobs of more than 1,100 crewmembers who rely on steady work. The company’s hope is that by having new sources of income—like the ICE contract—it can keep flights running, pay checks coming, and new routes opening up for customers.
Key Details for Your Glacier Park International Airport Experience
For people flying through Glacier Park International Airport with Avelo Airlines, here’s what remains true, based on both official statements and detailed reporting from VisaVerge.com:
- Arrive 90 minutes before your flight to make sure you have enough time for check-in and security
- The Avelo ticket counter opens roughly two hours before a flight and closes 40 minutes before it departs
- All flights are from the main terminal, so you won’t have to worry about going to a different section of the airport
- Services and routes will remain the same for the next year, making it easier to plan your trips with confidence
Seasonal flights to and from California 🇺🇸 will return in June 2025 at the same level as previous years.
Wider Industry and Immigration Policy Context
The Avelo-ICE contract reminds us that immigration policy in the United States 🇺🇸 connects many parts of public life. Airlines are mostly seen as service providers, helping people travel for business, pleasure, and family matters. But when companies like Avelo take on government contracts related to immigration enforcement, it often brings public attention and questions about what role airlines should play. Some see contracts like these simply as business deals, while others feel they cross a line into deeper social and political issues.
This also reflects changes in how the US government works with private companies to fulfill its goals. For many years, ICE has used airlines to help carry out deportation orders, but almost always these were done by companies that weren’t household names. Now, with Avelo stepping in, more travelers—and more everyday Americans—are aware of and thinking about how deportation flights work and who helps make them happen.
Traveler Advice: Staying Informed
If you want to keep up to date about your Avelo Airlines flights or the services at Glacier Park International Airport, one of the best places for official information is the Glacier Park International Airport’s travel page. Here, you’ll find current schedules, check-in rules, and everything you need to know before flying.
You can also visit the official Avelo Airlines website for details on routes, schedules, and new announcements.
Final Thoughts
Avelo Airlines’ deal with ICE has brought a bright spotlight to airline-government partnerships and how they can affect public trust. Even as the contract kicks up strong emotions, the most direct impact for most travelers—especially those flying through Glacier Park International Airport—is almost none. Avelo states its Montana 🇺🇸 flights will run just as before, with no changes for regular passengers.
This moment shows how airlines today must weigh financial needs, job stability, customer service, and public opinion all at once. As reported by VisaVerge.com, Avelo’s approach may be unusual among commercial airlines but looks set, at least for now, to leave Montana 🇺🇸’s Glacier Park International Airport calm and business as usual.
The key takeaway for you: even with the headlines and controversy, Avelo’s flights at Glacier Park International Airport, along with their convenience and accessibility, are here to stay. Whatever your plans, you can book with confidence and make the most of your journey—knowing you’ll have the same choices and travel options as before.
Learn Today
Deportation Flights → Flights operated to transport individuals ordered to leave a country, typically under government contract, as part of immigration enforcement.
Charter Contract → An agreement where an airline provides aircraft exclusively for specific trips, not regular public routes, often for organizations or agencies.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including removals and deportations.
Glacier Park International Airport → A regional airport in Montana, USA, offering commercial flights connecting northwest Montana to major destinations such as California.
Boeing 737-800 → A model of commercial jet aircraft commonly used for medium-haul routes; in this case, dedicated to Avelo’s ICE deportation flights.
This Article in a Nutshell
Avelo Airlines’ partnership with ICE for deportation flights has caused concern, but normal flights at Montana’s Glacier Park International Airport remain unchanged. Starting May 2025, ICE charter flights operate separately from passenger service, ensuring Montana-California routes continue as scheduled. Travelers can confidently book, knowing regular service and pricing persist despite controversy.
— By VisaVerge.com
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