The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in the process of establishing a fleet of government-owned aircraft, Bloomberg revealed on Friday.
The department is currently seeking a contractor to operate the airplanes, which will be used for deportation flights of undocumented immigrants, as well as emergency response missions and transportation for high-ranking government officials.
The fleet will consist of two C-37Bs, also known as converted Gulfstream 550s, and seven Boeing 737-700s. It should be noted that the C-37Bs are exclusively used for executive transport and will not be used for deportation flights.
Currently, DHS relies on independent operators and their aircraft for deportation flights. However, as of January, the department’s main partner for such flights was ultra-low-cost airline Avelo, operating from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona. Avelo ended its involvement in the program after facing criticism from immigration and human rights activists and some lawmakers who argued that the airline was profiting from the mistreatment of migrants.
In response, Avelo stated that while the program did provide some short-term benefits, it ultimately did not generate enough consistent and predictable revenue to outweigh the operational complexity and costs.
One possible reason for DHS’s decision to establish its own fleet is to eliminate reliance on outside companies that may be susceptible to public pressure.
Bloomberg also reported that the new government-owned fleet will be able to operate “around the clock” and respond to short-notice requests. This move is a significant step towards increasing the department’s control over deportation flights and ensuring their availability when needed.
In conclusion, the DHS is working towards establishing a fleet of government-owned aircraft for deportation flights, emergency response missions, and transportation of high-ranking officials. This decision comes after a previous partnership with a commercial airline faced criticism and ended. With this new fleet, the department will have greater control and flexibility in conducting deportation flights.