William Tong, attorney general of Connecticut, has expressed serious concerns over a charter contract for Avelo Airlines (XP, Burbank) to operate deportation flights on behalf of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration Control and Enforcement Agency. The state is now reconsidering the support the airline has received through fuel tax exemptions and public promotion.
In a letter sent to Avelo’s chairman and chief executive, Andrew Levy, Tong urged the carrier to provide clarity on its contract with Homeland Security and its operational policies concerning deportation flights, particularly those involving inhumane treatment, court defiance, and children.
Avelo had until April 15 to respond to Tong’s demands, and failure to provide satisfactory assurances could lead to Connecticut withdrawing its support for the airline. In a statement to ch-aviation, the carrier said: “We acknowledge the weight of these concerns and have received the CT Attorney General’s letter and will be discussing these concerns with Connecticut leaders as needed.” It did not specify if it had sent its response in time.
The low-cost carrier, which is currently looking for USD100 million in fresh capital as well, has two bases in Connecticut, flying from Hartford Bradley and New Haven. The former has direct international connectivity with Montego Bay and Punta Cana, while the latter has domestic connectivity to 27 cities across the United States, the ch-aviation schedules module shows. New Haven is Avelo’s main airport by capacity, representing 24% of its total operation.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows Avelo Airlines’ fleet comprises eight B737-700s and twelve B737-800s.
