Protesters Push Vacationers to Boycott Avelo Airlines Over ICE Deportation Flights

Numerous local support organizations such as the Immigrant Allies Forum, Indivisible Wilmington, and the Democratic Socialists of America’s Wilmington Branch, formed a visible picket line on the route to popular vacation spot Wrightsville Beach. Their message to holiday-goers was simple: ‘uphold your principles.’ They chose this venue to spread awareness to a large number of travellers of Avelo Airlines’ controversial decision to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation flights.

One of the figures spearheading the picketing effort commented, ‘We’ve got knowledge that county funds are being used to aid Avelo in promoting destinations like Wilmington and coaxing people to choose them for their vacations. Our goal is to ensure that passengers understand the deeper implications behind their cheap flight options. Sometimes, what seems to be a bargain price can carry a heavy weight in terms of human rights compromises.’

Avelo Airlines, a budget airline, operates across an array of 23 states, with Wilmington as the location of its new base opened just this year in April. Following this decision, it’s seen a rise in protest actions across the city. The first demonstration against Avelo took place primarily at the airport in May but developed into more organized collaborative campaigns this week.

Their current focal point is to ‘drive commercial pressure’ on the airline following its new business agreement. Now, the movement is drawing nationwide attention. One protest participant voiced, ‘this has become a nationwide initiative; we’re part of a large-scale protest taking place across several cities – wherever Avelo has a footprint.’

A protestor clarified the group’s intent, ‘Avelo Airlines is a commercial airline, the sole one that has an official agreement with ICE to perform deportation flights. Their flights from Arizona to El Salvador are deportation transports, and we want to educate the public about this and encourage a boycott.’

The existing debate on immigration forms a challenging backdrop for the campaign. Changing pre-existing attitudes on the sensitive topic will not be a straightforward task. However, both local and national advocacy groups are hopeful to sway vacationers to at least alter their flight preferences.

One protestor shared an optimistic view, ‘We’re seeing positive signs already. A while ago, Avelo had to cancel a few flights and scale back on some routes – not in Wilmington, but in other parts of the country.’ The aspiration is that local movements will grow into larger scale shifts.

Avelo, however, has stood firm behind its engagement with ICE, quoting the necessity for secure finances. A representative from one of the advocacy groups new Hanover County Airport Authority, submitted a public records request to gain more insights.

After numerous months, the Deputy Airport Director clarified that Avelo had not received any specific financial support from the Airport Authority, nor had any budget amendments been approved in favor of the airline. The representative shared details of Avelo’s lease agreement, noting that it was ‘typical for any airline operating at ILM.’ He also included details about the airport authority’s incentive program that all airlines can avail.

Upon further investigation, it was confirmed that local funding was indeed directed towards promoting Avelo activities and ILM Airport, since the inception of Avelo operations. With these revelations, the impact Avelo has had on local economic activity has garnered significant attention.

One of the protestors remarked, ‘Consider the entire annual GDP for the county was below $20 billion in the last fiscal year, and total tourist expenditure in New Hanover County was $1.1 billion in 2023. It’s difficult to attribute so much economic activity to Avelo’s credit.’

He appended, ‘But this avoids engaging with the real ethical query at hand. Are we ready to ignore Avelo’s involvement in unlawful and inhumane deportation flights simply because we see economic benefits from their other operations? What monetary value are we attaching to our ethical principles if we decide to let these disturbing flights continue?’

The future of Avelo in the face of these protests and actions is uncertain. Whether or not the public’s perception shifts significantly will largely depend on how well advocacy groups can continue to gather support and maintain pressure on Avelo.

A mindful approach to travel requires an awareness of the ethics involved in each decision. As the country and indeed the world, moves towards a more just and equal society, it is essential that both corporations and individuals play their part in upholding these principles.

With all the debate and differing opinions, the true impact of Avelo’s partnership with ICE and the protest against it will continue to unfold in the public eye. It’s a story that continues to develop, and only time will tell the full consequential economic and societal impacts.