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Avelo Airlines Ends Sonoma Hub, Adds Deportation Flights—What It Means for Palm Springs Travelers
Avelo Airlines, the low-cost carrier that has served Palm Springs International Airport with seasonal nonstop flights, is making headlines after announcing a major operational shift. The airline will shut down its hub at Sonoma County Airport (STS) effective May 1 and begin flying deportation missions for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona.
Avelo’s CEO, Andrew Levy, acknowledged the decision may be controversial, calling it “a sensitive and complicated topic.” He said the move is part of a long-term charter program with the Department of Homeland Security and is intended to help stabilize the company financially and support job retention. The carrier currently employs over 1,100 crew members.
Though Avelo says the closure of its Sonoma hub was due to low demand and unrelated to the ICE contract, the timing has fueled criticism. The airline plans to continue serving STS with flights to Burbank, Las Vegas, Redmond, and Palm Springs, even after the hub's closure.
Here in Palm Springs, where Avelo offers seasonal service, the airline's new involvement in deportation efforts has prompted concern. With local communities historically supportive of immigrant rights, some travelers may reconsider flying with the carrier. Nationally, city leaders and immigrant advocacy groups in places like New Haven, Connecticut—where Avelo also operates—have condemned the decision and called for a boycott of the airline.
Critics argue that the airline’s commercial image is now at odds with its behind-the-scenes work with ICE. Flight data analysts have noted it is rare for a retail-facing airline like Avelo to operate deportation flights, which are typically handled by lesser-known charter services.
As the new deportation flight program launches and Avelo repositions its business strategy, Palm Springs residents and visitors may be faced with weighing convenience and cost against ethical concerns when choosing how to fly.
By: NBC Palm Springs
April 9, 2025
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