Local Activists Stage Protest Against Avelo’s Deportation Flights
Several local activist organizations, such as the Immigrant Allies Forum, Indivisible Wilmington, and the Democratic Socialists of America’s Wilmington Chapter, staged a demonstration along the route to Wrightsville Beach, encouraging holidaymakers to ‘travel according to their principles.’ An organizer of this demonstration noted that they selected this site to maximize exposure to the deal that Avelo airline, in collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, initiated this year for carrying out deportation flights.
The organizer was quoted as saying, ‘It has come to our attention that Avelo Airlines has leveraged county funds for promoting Wilmington, amongst other destinations, to increase the influx of vacationers. We wish to enlighten these visitors so that they understand that their seemingly inexpensive flight ticket may bear a substantial human rights cost.’ Avelo Airlines is known as an economical carrier that caters to 23 states across the nation.
In April, the airline established a new base of operations in Wilmington, sparking several city-wide demonstrations. The inaugural protest against Avelo was organized right outside the airport in May. Notably, this week gave rise to the national protest campaign against Avelo, aimed at imposing commercial strain on the airline ever since it committed to the controversial deal.
The campaign has expanded on a national scale and involves many cities where Avelo operates. A protest participant provided insight into the situation, ‘Avelo Airlines offers commercial flight services and uniquely, it is the sole commercial airline with a contract with ICE for conducting deportation flights from Arizona to El Salvador. Through this protest, we are urging individuals to boycott their flights.’
Admittedly, there is a lack of consensus on the issue of immigration, which renders persuading people to change their stance difficult. However, both national and local activists alike hope to influence passengers to choose an alternative airline. One demonstrator remarked with a degree of optimism, ‘The efforts appear to be paying off. A while ago, Avelo had to cancel some of its flights and reduce its range of destinations, although not in Wilmington but in other parts of the country.’
Advocates silently hope these localized initiatives drive larger change. Avelo, in its defense, cites financial stability as the driving reason behind their decision to align with ICE. Meanwhile, a representative of one of the advocacy groups sought public records from the New Hanover County Airport Authority.
After a few months of waiting, the Deputy Airport Director informed the representative that no funds were allocated to Avelo by the Airport Authority, nor were there any approved budget amendments for the airline. The official also provided the airline’s lease agreement, claiming it was ‘commonplace amongst all airlines operating at ILM’ and attached details of the airport authority’s incentives program, which serves all airlines.
Over the course of numerous email exchanges, it was finally confirmed that Avelo flights and ILM Airport had indeed been promoted using local marketing funds since Avelo commenced operations. With that said, the activation of Avelo flights has substantially boosted the local economy.
Yet, one of the demonstrators contended, ‘Given that the overall tourist expenditure in New Hanover County amounted to $1.1 billion in 2023, and the complete yearly GDP for the county was less than $20 billion during the last fiscal year, it is a stretch to credit Avelo with this level of economic activity.’
The protestor added, ‘What’s more crucial is the ethical dilemma at hand: should we overlook Avelo’s involvement in potentially unlawful and cruel deportation flights simply because we gain economically from their other operations? Are we, in essence, compromising our moral integrity by permitting these deportation flights to carry on if there’s a financial advantage to us?’