Hartford, CT — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued a blistering statement today condemning Avelo Airlines for what he described as an “insulting” and “callous” response to questions about the airline’s contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to operate potential deportation flights.
Avelo’s reply, delivered after the Attorney General’s office requested clarity on the airline’s role in immigration enforcement, provided no substantive answers and refused to share a copy of its DHS contract. Instead, the company suggested the Office of the Attorney General pursue a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain the document.
“Today’s response from Avelo is totally unacceptable because it contains no response at all,” said Tong. “Their overly legalistic and technical letter is insulting and condescending to the people of Connecticut who have invested in and committed millions of dollars to Avelo’s success.”
Avelo further argued that decisions around deportation procedures were the sole responsibility of DHS and the FAA, distancing itself from any accountability over how such flights are conducted. In its letter, Avelo stated, “DHS and FAA unilaterally determine which procedures and practices are used on the flights.”
However, Tong made clear that Avelo cannot hide behind bureaucracy, especially given the public investment in its success at Tweed-New Haven Airport, including state and local support in the form of tax exemptions and infrastructure upgrades.
“It is clear all they intend to do is take state support and make money off other people’s suffering,” Tong said. “If a business makes a policy decision which endangers innocent, law-abiding parents, children, and students here in Connecticut, our state has the right to decide whether that business should continue to receive tax breaks and subsidies.”
Key Questions Remain Unanswered
On April 8, Attorney General Tong sent a letter to Avelo with a list of eight urgent questions, requesting a response by April 15. These included:
- Whether Avelo would operate deportation flights from Connecticut airports.
- If the airline would agree not to transport passengers, including children, in shackles or restraints.
- Whether Avelo would refuse to conduct flights that violate court orders or involve individuals without valid removal orders.
- If the airline would confirm it will never deport children born on U.S. soil.
Avelo’s response failed to answer any of the questions directly.
“What Avelo does not deny is that they made a choice to contract with the Department of Homeland Security and potentially transport innocent people, in violation of the law, to maximum security prisons outside of the United States,” Tong added.
State May Reconsider Support
In light of the airline’s silence, Tong signaled that Connecticut may reconsider its financial support for Avelo. The state has played a key role in facilitating Avelo’s expansion, offering incentives like an aviation fuel tax exemption and airport improvements.
“I strongly encourage Avelo to reconsider its response and its decision to profit from these atrocities,” Tong said.
Concerns about deportation flights have intensified amid reports of inhumane conditions and legal violations, including a March 15 court order that was allegedly ignored during a deportation flight operated by another airline. Tong has made clear that Connecticut will not be complicit in similar actions.
What’s Next?
The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing options and has not ruled out further legal or legislative action to hold Avelo accountable. The situation also raises broader questions about the role of private companies in immigration enforcement, especially those benefiting from public subsidies.
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