Wilmington Airport Protest: Avelo Airlines Faces Boycott Over Deportation Flights
Wilmington, DE — A wave of dissent surged on Thursday as protestors crowded Route 13 outside the Wilmington Airport, rallying against Avelo Airlines in a spirited honk-and-wave event. The demonstration stemmed from Avelo’s recent agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to facilitate deportation flights, igniting outrage among community members.
Avelo Airlines, Delaware’s only commercial airline, announced the charter agreement on April 7, prompting public outcry. CEO Andrew Levy defended the decision, acknowledging its sensitive nature but asserting it would provide financial security for the low-cost airline.
The controversial flights, set to commence on May 14 from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, will reportedly operate without Avelo’s branding. Protestor Judy Butler expressed her disapproval, stating, "We’re shipping people to other countries… without observing constitutional rights." She emphasized that the majority of demonstrators are affiliated with a local chapter of Indivisible, a movement opposing Trump-era policies.
Another protestor, Nancy Hannigan, voiced her concerns about the collaboration with the Trump administration, describing it as misguided. "People here are entitled to be here… it could happen to my child," she warned, calling for Avelo to reassess its position. While supportive of legal deportations under due process, Hannigan criticized current tactics as alarming.
The backlash against Avelo extends nationwide, with the Association of Flight Attendants advocating for reconsideration of the agreement. Petitions initiated by local organizations, including the New Haven Immigrants Coalition, have garnered close to 35,000 signatures pledging to boycott the airline, emphasizing the growing community resistance to ICE-related operations.
As the rally concluded, protesters reaffirmed their commitment to justice and humane treatment for all individuals, demanding Avelo Airlines to reconsider its involvement in deportation flights.
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