Avelo Airlines ICE Deportation Flights: The Story of Boeing 737-800 N801XT

In 2025, low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines made headlines by entering a federal contract to operate deportation flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) [1]. Among the aircraft assigned to these controversial missions was Boeing 737-800 N801XT - an aircraft that, during its deployment for ICE, operated in an all-white livery without Avelo's standard branding. According to Reuters, Avelo signed the contract with the Department of Homeland Security in April 2025, dedicating three aircraft initially, with plans to expand to six [4]. By January 2026, Avelo announced it would terminate all ICE deportation flights, citing unstable revenue and high complexity [3][6]. This article provides a detailed look at the operational history of N801XT during this brief but intense chapter in U.S. aviation history.

GeminiJets Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-800 N801XT 1:200

1:200 scale die-cast model of the actual aircraft that operated ICE deportation flights in 2025-2026. Features authentic all-white livery as seen during its government charter operations. Registration: N801XT | Brand: GeminiJets | Material: Die-cast metal

The ICE Air Charter Program: Avelo's Entry into Government Contracting

In April 2025, Avelo Airlines signed a long-term agreement with ICE to operate deportation charter flights, leveraging its Boeing 737 fleet [4]. The move was initially seen as a financial stabilizer, with the carrier shifting a portion of its capacity to government use amid competitive commercial pressures. According to the Associated Press, Avelo dedicated at least six aircraft to ICE Air Operations, including Boeing 737-800 N801XT, basing them out of Mesa, Arizona, at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport specifically for these deportation flights [5]. These immigration removal flights often departed from cities with large ICE detention centers, such as El Paso and San Antonio, transporting individuals to countries including Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 confirmed the first deportation flight under the contract operated on May 12, 2025, from Arizona to Louisiana [4].

N801XT: The Aircraft's Role in Deportation Operations

During its time with ICE Air Operations, N801XT operated in an all-white livery, stripped of Avelo's distinctive orange and blue branding. This was a common practice for government charter flights, allowing the aircraft to be used for sensitive missions without corporate identification. According to flight logs obtained by aviation trackers, N801XT completed at least 32 deportation flights between May 2025 and January 2026, primarily on routes to Central America. The aircraft's configuration was modified to accommodate ICE's requirements, including partitioned seating and secure transport areas. After Avelo's termination of the contract, N801XT was returned to the lessor and subsequently re-leased to another operator. For collectors, GeminiJets' 1:200 scale model of N801XT captures this unique piece of aviation history.

Operational Complexity, Safety Concerns, and Why Avelo Pulled Out

Despite the promise of consistent revenue, CEO Andrew Levy admitted the program "did not deliver enough consistent and predictable revenue to overcome its operational complexity and costs" in a CNBC-obtained internal email [6]. What did this complexity entail? Unlike scheduled commercial flying, ICE deportation flights involve unpredictable scheduling, often requiring aircraft to remain on standby. Additionally, securing crew for these politically sensitive missions proved difficult—flight attendants at Avelo, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, welcomed the end of the program, stating they "didn't originally sign up for" such missions [6].

More concerning were the safety incidents documented during these operations. An investigation by The American Prospect in November 2025 revealed multiple safety lapses [8]. In one July 2025 incident, an Avelo employee discovered more than two dozen lithium-ion batteries in migrant baggage after ICE personnel refused to assist with required hazmat inspections. The batteries, banned from cargo holds by FAA regulations due to fire risk, were found despite an ICE officer attempting to pressure the crew to depart without inspection. On November 13, 2025, an Avelo ICE flight declared an emergency after losing cabin pressure, making a rapid descent that left six people injured with nosebleeds [8].

Political and Community Response

The backlash against Avelo was significant and multi-faceted. In California, activists organized weekly protests at Hollywood Burbank Airport, with one organizer telling Reuters that "it's important to not only look at Trump because he's not really doing anything alone—he's doing it with the help of corporates" [4]. The Daily Beast reported that Avelo closed its California base at Hollywood Burbank Airport, reducing flights from 13 per day to just one before the complete closure [1].

A consumer boycott petition organized by the New Haven Immigrants Coalition gathered more than 38,000 signatures urging travelers to boycott the airline until it ended its ICE flight operations [4].

Fleet Impact and Aircraft Disposition

As part of the wind-down announced in January 2026, Avelo agreed to return multiple aircraft dedicated to ICE operations, including N801XT, and close its Mesa, AZ base [3][6]. The table below summarizes the key operational changes tied to the end of Avelo Airlines deportation flights.

Conclusion: A Historic Aircraft for Collectors

The story of Avelo Airlines deportation flights and specifically Boeing 737-800 N801XT represents a unique chapter in U.S. aviation history. The aircraft's brief service with ICE Air Operations, its all-white livery, and the controversy surrounding these missions make it a fascinating subject for aviation enthusiasts and model collectors. GeminiJets' 1:200 scale model of N801XT captures this piece of history with remarkable detail, allowing collectors to own a replica of the actual aircraft that flew these historic missions. Whether you're a student of modern aviation history, a collector of rare liveries, or simply interested in the intersection of commercial aviation and government operations, this model is a meaningful addition to any collection.

Tags: Avelo ICE charter, N801XT, deportation flights 2025, Boeing 737-800 immigration removal, ICE Air contract carriers, Avelo fleet changes, GeminiJets 1:200, aviation history collection