Activists celebrate Avelo Airlines’ departure from Bradley Airport

Activists Celebrate Avelo Airlines’ Departure from Bradley Airport

A coalition of groups from Massachusetts and Connecticut gathered on Saturday to mark the upcoming departure of Avelo Airlines from Bradley International Airport. The activists oppose the airline’s contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for operating deportation flights.

Concerns About Deportation Flights

John Majercak from Indivisible Northampton Swing Left Western Massachusetts highlighted the plight of detained immigrants:

“These are people who are shackled, many of them have not gone before a judge, their families don’t know where they are. They’ve essentially been kidnapped and relocated in a very illegal way.”

He emphasized the group's stance against companies cooperating with ICE:

“We think that any company that’s helping (ICE) shouldn’t get anyone’s business. So we’re spreading the word, letting people know not to fly them.”

Activism and Public Response

Activists from the Connecticut and Massachusetts chapters of Indivisible and the Democratic Socialists of America CT Chapter displayed large banners over the Route 75 overpass near the airport to celebrate their perceived victory in pressuring the airline.

Majercak described ICE’s treatment of immigrants as distressing:

“People are just horrified at what they’ve been seeing.”

The protestors divided into two groups, with one group demonstrating directly at Bradley Airport.

Summary

Activists successfully rallied community opposition to Avelo Airlines' involvement in deportation flights, leading to the airline's exit from Bradley Airport.

MassLive — 2025-11-04