Budget airline that took ICE deportation flight contract shuts down West Coast operations - Avelo Airlines, which sparked controversy and boycotts of its service earlier this year over the agreement,

Beleaguered Avelo Airlines will close its West Coast operation and exit 10 cities by December as it struggles financially.

Avelo Airlines is shutting down its West Coast commercial flights as the carrier doubles down on East Coast operations and faces growing criticism over its deportation flights. An Avelo spokesperson confirmed the end of its Western operations to the Daily Voice on Tuesday,

The arrival of Avelo to Salem in October 2023 heralded the return of commercial routes at the airport after a nearly 15-year absence, and remained the only commercial airline serving the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport. It provided flights to Burbank and Las Vegas.

The airline also announced it will reduce service at Hollywood Burbank Airport before closing the base in December.

Avelo Airlines, which has come under fire for agreeing to transport detained immigrants, announced July 9 it is extending its East Coast flight schedule to mid-February 2026. Avelo has routes to 11 Florida airports.

A Texas airline contracted by the Trump administration to deport migrants will cut back flights months after activists called for a boycott of the company.