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Attorney General William Tong today sent a letter to Avelo Airlines expressing his deep disappointment and demanding answers to a series of questions regarding the company’s decision to enter into a contract to operate charter flights for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"Let’s be clear what these flights are doing. These are flights separating parents from their children. These are flights where people—men, women and children—are shackled in handcuffs, waist chains and leg irons, where flight attendants have said there is no safe plan to evacuate people in an emergency," writes Tong. "These are flights to dangerous jungle prisons in El Salvador and Guantanamo, where chained, bowed and shaved men are paraded before cameras for propaganda videos."

While Tong agrees that "violent criminals should be arrested, prosecuted, and where appropriate, deported," he considers Trump's deportation program to be "cruel and reckless" and claimed it has "undermined legitimate law enforcement" efforts.

“None of these abusive practices are required to secure our borders, promote public safety, or effectively enforce our immigration laws. These flights are cruel by design and enormously wasteful of taxpayer resources, and no business should be complicit," Tong wrote in the letter.

“No one is forcing Avelo to operate these flights. If reporting is accurate, Avelo has freely chosen to profit from and facilitate these atrocities. The State of Connecticut has an obligation now to review this business decision and to consider the viability of our choice to support Avelo,” Tong stated.

The letter goes on to remind Avelo about the support it has received from Connecticut.

"Such support is a policy choice that may be revisited should Avelo’s business practices conflict with Connecticut priorities and policies. We are owed answers on Avelo’s Homeland Security contract to determine whether Avelo’s business practices can remain compatible with such state support," Tong argues.

The letter seeks answers to the following questions no later than April 15, 2025.

• Please provide a copy of Avelo’s contract that relates to its work for Department of Homeland Security, or its agent, contractor or subcontractor. 
• Can Avelo confirm that it will not operate deportation flights from any Connecticut airport?
• Can Avelo confirm that it will never operate flights while non-violent passengers are in shackles, handcuffs, waist chains and/or leg irons and unable to safely evacuate in the event of an emergency?
• Should restraint be necessary for a specific individual to protect public safety, can Avelo confirm that it will never operate a flight without a safe and timely evacuation strategy for all passengers? 
• Can Avelo confirm it will never operate flights with shackled children? 
• On Saturday, March 15, a federal judge ordered the immediate return of a deportation flight destined for El Salvador operated by GlobalX. The Trump Administration refused to comply. Can Avelo confirm that it will never operate deportation flights in defiance of such court orders? 
• Can Avelo confirm it will never operate a deportation flight involving passengers for whom there is no valid order of removal?
• Can Avelo confirm that it will never operate a flight to deport a child born on American soil? 

Click here to view the full letter.

Meanwhile, officials at Avelo have indicated that poor performance at New Haven’s Tweed Airport contributed to the decision to take on the DHS deportation flights.

“The primary reason Avelo’s performance did not meet expectations in Q12025 centers around New Haven (HVN), which until now has been a source of strength in our portfolio,” CEO Andrew Levy wrote in an internal email. “After extensive deliberations with our board of directors and our senior leaders, we concluded this new opportunity [deportation flights] was too valuable not to pursue, as it will help us stabilize our finances and allow us to continue our journey.”

According to the email, New Haven had accounted for around half of Avelo's business.

“I realize some may view the decision to fly for DHS as controversial,” Levy wrote. “Regardless of your personal views on current political events, I know we will all continue to focus on providing the high-quality service Avelo has become known for.”

“Having a portion of our company dedicated to charter flying, without exposure to fluctuating fuel prices or risk from macroeconomic factors, provides us with the stability to grow our core business, which is scheduled passenger travel,” he added.

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