Trump appears to be getting back into the airline business, though this time, with a different kind of “Trump Shuttle.”
In this post:
ICE acquiring its own fleet of planes for deportations
For years, the United States has contracted out to airlines for operating deportation flights. Airlines currently performing these flights include Avelo Air, Eastern Air Express, GlobalX Air, Omni Air International, and World Atlantic Airlines. This is a lucrative arrangement for those airlines, and also gives them a steady income stream.
The Trump administration is of course trying to greatly increase the number of deportations. Trump has vowed to deport one million undocumented immigrations per year, and in his first six months in office, ICE deported somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 undocumented immigrants, including voluntary self-departures.
This means that if Trump wants to reach that “goal,” the administration needs to greatly step up its number of deportations. Over the summer, we learned how Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was pushing for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to own and operate its own fleet of airplanes for deportations, with the goal of doubling the number of people that can be deported each month.
Well, this has now come to fruition, as reported by The Washington Post. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has agreed to buy six Boeing 737s at a cost of $140 million, in order to increase deportation efforts.
This contract is with Daedalus Aviation, a Virgin company with executives who are also associated with Salus Worldwide Solutions, a company that has a nearly $1 billion contract with DHS to support voluntary “self-deportation” efforts.
A DHS spokesperson said the following regarding these plans for ICE to acquire its own planes:
“We are delighted to see the media is highlighting the Trump administration’s cost-effective and innovative ways of delivering on the American people’s mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens. This new initiative will save $279 million in taxpayer dollars by allowing ICE to operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns. President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to quickly and efficiently getting criminal illegal aliens OUT of our country.”
Currently, ICE charters 8-14 planes at a time for deportation flights, which allows for roughly 15,000 deportations per month. So by acquiring planes, ICE will be able to increase the number of people that it deports. As ICE increases the number of people it detains, more deportation flights are needed to avoid overcrowding in detention centers.
Of course buying aircraft requires a big investment, though Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” greatly increased funding for ICE. The bill gave ICE over $75 billion in funding, including $30 billion for deportation efforts, greatly increasing the previous $9.5 billion annual budget.
It’s suggested that the average deportation flight costs around $25,000 per hour, including the cost of the plane, pilots, flight attendants, security personnel, and medical personnel. So the average deportation trip cost is somewhere around $100,000 to $200,000.
Is there merit to the government starting this “airline?”
There’s no point in debating Trump’s deportation efforts, because we all have our own (typically strong) opinions on that, and I don’t think anyone is going to have their opinions changed in the comments section. So let’s stick to the aviation angle.
With that in mind, if the government is going to deport people, is it more beneficial to outsource the flying, or for the government to actually get into the “airline” business? A few thoughts…
First, is the bottleneck in deportation efforts really a lack of available aircraft that can be contracted? I’m kind of surprised to hear that, since you’d think that carriers like Avelo Air have a bit of spare capacity. For that matter, this just about seems like Spirit Airlines’ best bet at improving margins. I just struggle to imagine that the government is unable to contract more planes, given what a tough industry it is.
Second, I really question whether there’s added efficiency for the government operating aircraft directly. Airlines are generally pretty efficient businesses, and it’s not like the margins they’re skimming on these charters are huge. I have to imagine that if the government gets involved, there’s some loss in efficiency.
For that matter, by using charter operators, it’s easy enough to adjust capacity over time, to reflect demand, which is much harder to do if you actually buy planes. If we’re to believe that the undocumented immigration situation will change materially, and if our “borders are now closed,” then presumably at some point there would also be a decrease in the number of people who the government needs to deport?
Lastly, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the first “airline” that the US government is operating. The Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) is a United States Marshals Service airline that transports prisoners to and from various facilities within the United States. Oklahoma City Airport (OKC) even has a special terminal for prisoners.
Bottom line
The Trump administration has now signed a contract to bring deportation flights in-house, by acquiring aircraft in order to ramp up deportation efforts. Currently, the government charters planes from airlines, but with increased funding for ICE, the plan is for the government to also fly its own planes. Specifically, we’ve seen a $140 million deal signed, for the government to acquire six Boeing 737s.
I’m not sure I really see huge efficiency gains here, since I question how much cheaper the government could run this operation. If this is really about not being able to get enough planes chartered from airlines, well, then I’d be a bit surprised. The claim is that this will save taxpayers $279 million, though I’d love to see a breakdown of that math…
What do you make of the ICE Air concept?
It really is insane how much time, money and effort we need to put in to reverse just some of leftist insanity.
It really is insane how much time, money and effort we will need to put in to reverse *this* fascist insanity.
FTFY.
Good. I hope they do mandatory weigh-ins at boarding. If someone looks too fat, jam them in a seat-sized baggage sizer and if they don't fit, send the porker packing! Perhaps a UPS Boeing 747-8F is more appropriate!
How white MAGA Americans think they’re in a position to make fun of anyone for being fat is insane. Every other MAGA I meet is wider than they are tall
Illegals knew the risks which were minimal in a Democrat government.
Sending them back has proven temporary but MUST be done. Perhaps a deterrent to qualified immigrants who should apply and be accepted legally.
Government operated flights should be efficient - so long as graft and corruption are avoided.
Not sure if you’re even a US citizen, but, let’s pretend: If you were serious, you’d advocate for bipartisan immigration reform to fix a broken system, but, it seems you just prefer cruelty and chaos, which helps no one.
@Azamaraal
I am once again reminding the wingnuts like you that we had a comprehensive immigration reform bill agreed to by BOTH parties ready to pass in Congress. A bill which Trump used his influence to kill in the senate because he was running on an extremist immigration platform and didn't want Biden to solve the problem before the election.
The bill was a farce. Don't fool yourself to believe it was true reform.
Earlier this year it was reported by the WSJ that Secretary Noem authorized the purchase of ten aircraft from SpiritAirlines. Later it was determined that Spirit didn’t actually own the aircraft and that the aircraft were being sold without engines. Minor details that DHS overlooked. Noem is in way over her head and doesn’t seem to have to answer to anyone.
Is America great again yet? Question for all the MAGAtards, Epstein supporters and AIPAC contortionists.
The break even rate to fly a B737-800 is roughly $9500 per hour maximum. It is absurd that the government is being charged $25,000 per hour to charter a B737-800.
The market rate for a charter per hour is between $14-15,000 per hour. I know because I personally manage, coordinate and price charter flights for a medium sized airline which has Boeing 737-800s.
No wonder the U.S. Government wants to reduce costs by keeping this in house and not outsourcing it out !
If it was a donor or insider, this administration would happily overpay. This has little to do with running the government more efficiently. It’s probably far pettier than that. Wish we’d actually follow the money here, because that’s probably the real answer. Like, who’s ‘winning’ with this purchase as opposed to alternatives, because I highly doubt it’s the American taxpayers that come out ahead…
So we can ALL get a one way free ride on ICE air out of the country?
When the civil reserve air act gets activated do FAA rules still apply? Are they acting the soldiers in the exit row if they’re willing and able?
Great plan and cost saver. Remarkably people picked up are easy to identify where they need to go. 99% of those collected are visa overstayers and almost all foregin nationals have to submit fingerprints and pictures to our Embassy in the host country. In essence they snitched themselves out.
I think TRUMP should host a LIVERY DESIGN competition! Best livery as voted on by THE PEOPLE gets 4 million dollars . GREAT INITATIVE! Think of the PATRIOTISM thus would Promote
You are a revolting human being. This is not how PEOPLE should be treated. Abject cruelty does not make an immigration policy make. I hope when you are old and infirm there will be no to look after you, and you die alone.
Hmm. You speak of revolting human beings and then you go off spouting off something FAR worse than what I said. You are a sad, pathetic little fool. If your testes ever descend, I hope it happens while you're sitting on the (public) toilet and they descend right into the bowl. Ploopity PLOP!!
Wonder if they will have a frequent flyer program
This should read "a Virginia company", not "a Virgin company.
I'm not so sure... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Other ‘1990,’ I’m less of a guffaw type of laugh, and more of a ‘Bah!’ kinda guy. Eh, you do you.
Load up the C130s and cargo boats. This is a huge cost, both financial and humanitarian, brought on by liberals opening the borders with no plan or act from congress. Sad times. Hopefully they won’t do it again.
Tell us more about how they're 'eating the cats and dogs' and the 'some, I assume, are good people' and that they're both 'lazy' and also 'they're taking the jobs.' Something about the 'enemy' being both 'weak' and 'strong.' Hmm. And if those scapegoats don't work, try 'trans' again, right?
"Liberals opening the borders". You are an idiot.
I would say the political right would argue against a goverment airline. As there is so much waste in government spending. But this is a thorny issue, with all the sabotage etc going on against ICE, they may fell it necessary to ensure 'supply" of flights. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I have seen you but certainly others chastise Avelo for running these flights.
ICE is being "sabotaged" because le POTUS Orange Obèse is turning it into his de facto personal national police force and running roughshod over the human rights and proper procedure.
All Due Respect, yeah, something about paramilitaries loyal to the leader, alone, doesn't 'sit right' with me (and shouldn't sit right with any and all 'freedom-loving' peoples.)
"Daedalus Aviation, a Virgin company"
Like Virgin Atlantic? Sir Richard Branson is involved?
Seems unlikely.
Did you mean to write that Daedalus Aviation is a company registered in the US Virgin Islands?
Although Google AI says it is not.
Daedalus Aviation Group seems to be Dutch.
Dedalus Aviation seems to be Greek.
But they may be unrelated, ditto Salus Aviation (NZ)
Salus (Worldwide) Solutions does do work for DHS, so seems likely to be relevant.
Are there different regulatory costs for government-owned and operated planes? Different minimum crew to pax ratio, max duty time, no safety/evacuation requirements? Cram the planes with hard plastic seats at 26" pitch, no galleys, single toilet? Add seats in the cargo hold?
Aircraft operated by the federal government are exempt from FAA safety regulations. They can do what they want.
Really telling that even with the practice of arresting people who were following the process and showing up for their immigration court dates, this admin is nowhere close to their deportation "goal". Almost like Trump threw a big number out and people were gullible enough to believe him. Fell for it again.
Typical with this POTUS. He makes an outlandish claim and must double and triple down on on it, because he sees admitting that he repeated wrong information as admitting defeat instead of being a sensible disclosure of fallible humanity in the pursuit of self improvement.
And that's how he's running the government. He throws out a goal with little thought, and the government must now service that goal until doing so will directly and adversely...
Typical with this POTUS. He makes an outlandish claim and must double and triple down on on it, because he sees admitting that he repeated wrong information as admitting defeat instead of being a sensible disclosure of fallible humanity in the pursuit of self improvement.
And that's how he's running the government. He throws out a goal with little thought, and the government must now service that goal until doing so will directly and adversely affect him personally, then he will deny that was his goal the whole time and the very hands-on in-charge POTUS is all of a sudden saying things like, "Well, it's in X official's department, so it's up to them..." and/or "I don't know anything about it..."
I never see anyone willing to support individuals that have no job skills and cannot speak English.
George, the data obliterates your claim. Immigrants are 80% more likely to start businesses than native-born Americans (Kauffman Foundation), have higher labor force participation rates across every demographic (National Bureau of Economic Research), and founded over half of U.S. billion-dollar startups (Stanford).
I've watched this firsthand: a friend from Pakistan saved relentlessly and became a serial entrepreneur, another from Mexico worked three jobs until he could start his own business, an Indian immigrant built...
George, the data obliterates your claim. Immigrants are 80% more likely to start businesses than native-born Americans (Kauffman Foundation), have higher labor force participation rates across every demographic (National Bureau of Economic Research), and founded over half of U.S. billion-dollar startups (Stanford).
I've watched this firsthand: a friend from Pakistan saved relentlessly and became a serial entrepreneur, another from Mexico worked three jobs until he could start his own business, an Indian immigrant built a pizza operation from nothing, and a Chinese immigrant turned a restaurant into a thriving frozen food empire when Covid hit by pivoting faster than established companies could blink.
Meanwhile, the Fiscal Policy Institute reports immigrant-owned businesses generate $1.3 trillion in revenue and employ 8 million workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows immigrants concentrated in high-skill sectors (medicine, engineering, tech) and essential services native workers won't touch.
Your "no job skills, can't speak English" narrative is nonsense contradicted by decades of economic research showing immigrants contribute more in taxes than they consume in services, learn English within a generation, and fill critical labor gaps. The question isn't whether we can "support" them. They're supporting us.
How do the numbers compare between legal immigrants and illegal immigrants? Illegals certainly are not responsible for billion dollar startups nor are they concentrated in high-skill sectors.
I disagree with your statement "essential service native worker won't touch". This needs to be clarified by adding "when offered the same wage as an undocumented worker". I recently traveled through north east Pennsylvania which is one of the poorer regions in the US. I was surprised...
How do the numbers compare between legal immigrants and illegal immigrants? Illegals certainly are not responsible for billion dollar startups nor are they concentrated in high-skill sectors.
I disagree with your statement "essential service native worker won't touch". This needs to be clarified by adding "when offered the same wage as an undocumented worker". I recently traveled through north east Pennsylvania which is one of the poorer regions in the US. I was surprised to that there were only native Americans working in nearly every position to include housekeeping. As we got closer to New York City these same jobs were nearly filled by 100% immigrants.
I reside in Mexico and I have seen what the huge numbers of migrants have done to the country. The cartels began controlling the southern border as well as the border with the US and controlling the major highways utilized by the migrants. States that were once the safest in Mexico are now no-go zones. I have never understood why the Biden administration required migrants to run the gauntlet in order to enter the US as if some kind of fraternity initiation was required where rape, kidnapping, and even death became the required rituals. They could easily have permitted them to fly directly into the United States if the goal was to grant entry.
George, what are you even talking about?
Human dignity has little to do with 'employability' or particular 'language'...
You're sounding pretty un-American, sir.
The ‘uman rights numpties will have a field day, employing ’uman rights lawyers, to challenge the Federal Government, for transporting illegal aliens, on aircraft not fit for ‘uman transportation.
Love it
"...let’s stick to the aviation angle." (Little chance that was gonna hold, Ben..)
What's the business class hard product like on these? Looking forward to a review!
Welp, there goes Avelo's monopoly on extrajudicial rendition flights to foreign gulags...
Ironically, Trump is the most 'socialist' President I've seen... literally nationalizing what used to be what the private sector used to do... bah! (Intel, golden share!)
Super socialist.
Some are saying... national socialist... *COUGH*
This is economic illiteracy masquerading as policy. The government claims buying six 737s for $140 million will save $279 million, but they won't show their work because the math doesn't exist. Airlines operate on razor-thin margins in the charter business precisely because competition forces efficiency. Now we're supposed to believe a government bureaucracy will run planes more cheaply than the private sector? The same administration that can't process visa applications efficiently is going to operate...
This is economic illiteracy masquerading as policy. The government claims buying six 737s for $140 million will save $279 million, but they won't show their work because the math doesn't exist. Airlines operate on razor-thin margins in the charter business precisely because competition forces efficiency. Now we're supposed to believe a government bureaucracy will run planes more cheaply than the private sector? The same administration that can't process visa applications efficiently is going to operate an airline? They're solving a capacity problem that charter operators could easily handle if asked, except now taxpayers own the planes, pay for the crews, cover the maintenance, and eat the depreciation. When deportation numbers inevitably fall, we'll have six expensive jets sitting idle that can't be redeployed like contracted charters. This is ideological theater dressed up as fiscal responsibility, and the $279 million "savings" figure is pure fantasy designed for credulous headline writers.
'Fiscal responsibility' was always a lie the right-wingers only pretend to care about when the other team is in-charge. Yet, when they're in-charge, it's unlimited spending and tax cuts for the wealthy. Socialism for the rich, rugged individualism for everyone else.
@1990
And large transactions provide the opportunity for large commissions.
Airlines generally have razor-thin margins.
Does that also apply in the case of contracts to governments, especially when several possible providers decline to bid for the work due to reputational concerns?
Yep, I think this is the big issue here and surprised Ben didn't mention it -- I imagine the government has significant difficulties getting charters signed up. Avoiding that uncertainty and the premium the gov't might have to pay could mean some serious savings.
Yeah, these were sweetheart deals to donors, unless and until those donor stop paying-up. Perhaps, what happened here was that someone got greedy... as often happens among the corrupt (there's always someone more corrupt...) *facepalm*
Why not book them on regularly scheduled flights? Seems like it would be an even less expensive option than charter flights.