An array of community groups such as the Advocate Forum for Immigrants, Wilmington Indivisible and the Democratic Socialists of America’s Wilmington Chapter staged a demonstration alongside the road to Wrightsville Beach. Their message to travelers was clear – they urged people to ‘vote with their values’. One of the protest’s orchestrators conveyed their intent behind this protest was to make as many travelers conscious of Avelo’s business arrangement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for conducting deportation flights, which took place earlier this year.
The organizer voiced concerns, ‘It is known that county funds were directed towards Avelo’s marketing campaigns, advertising Wilmington and other locations with the aim to attract vacationers. We want to ensure that travelers are conscious of their choices, acknowledging the fact that a cheap ticket might come with a hefty human rights price.’ Avelo Airlines, an economical airline servicing 23 states, established a new operating base in Wilmington in April.
Following the opening of this new base, citywide protests started brewing. The inaugural Avelo Airlines protest took place outside the airport in May. The most recent event is part of a nationwide campaign orchestrated by the collaborative, intended to apply commercial strain on Avelo after their controversial deal.
‘As of now, the fight has become nationwide. We are partaking in a nationwide protest today. Similar events are taking place across the country in cities where Avelo operates.’ As per a protestor, ‘Avelo Airlines operates commercial flights. They are the sole commercial airline with a contract with ICE, conducting deportation flights from Arizona to El Salvador. We aim to increase awareness and urge people to boycott them.’
Immigration remains a contentious issue without widespread consensus, and swaying viewpoints on this subject could prove to be a daunting task. However, advocates locally and across the country hold out hope for persuading travelers to reassess their airline preference. One protestor shared the change they’ve already witnessed: ‘The pressure appears to be effective. A few weeks back, Avelo ceased certain flights and reduced some of their routes, although not in Wilmington.’
These grassroots initiatives anchor the hope for large-scale changes to begin locally. In defense of its decisions, Avelo argued their collaboration with ICE as a financial necessity. A steering committee member of one of the advocating groups initiated a public records request with the New Hanover County Airport Authority.
Following multiple months of wait, the Deputy Airport Director responded, informing no funds were allocated for Avelo by the Airport Authority, nor were there any approved budget amendments for the airline. He further shared a standard lease agreement copy for Avelo, mirroring the ones across all other airlines operating at ILM. Alongside, he sent across details of the incentive program initiated by the authority and available for all airlines.
After much back-and-forth, he eventually confirmed the local marketing funds allocated to promote Avelo flights and ILM Airport since Avelo’s operational inception. Since its establishment, Avelo has majorly influenced the local economy. One of the protestors, however, expressed skepticism about the scale of Avelo’s impact.
‘It’s challenging to reconcile with data indicating the tourist spending in New Hanover County totaled $1.1 billion in 2023. The last reported fiscal year noted the entire annual GDP for the county below $20 billion, which makes it hard to credit Avelo for a major fraction of such economic activity.’
The protestor added, ‘This circumvents the real ethical dilemma here, whether we are content with ignoring Avelo’s involvement in the illegal and inhumane deportation flights just because their other actions yield profit? What is the cost we associate with our morality if we continue to allow these deportation flights?’
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