SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Avelo Airlines, the low-cost carrier that launched operations in Sonoma County just a year ago, has announced it will close its operations base at the Sonoma County Airport (STS) and scale back its services in the region. The airline will transition to operating deportation flights out of Arizona, following an agreement signed with the Department of Homeland Security.
The news took local officials by surprise, with Lynda Hopkins, the President of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, expressing deep concerns over the airline’s decision. “I was absolutely taken by surprise, and I would also say this is happening very rapidly,” Hopkins said in a statement Wednesday.
Avelo Airlines explained its move in a statement released to ABC7 News, emphasizing the need for stability. “We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic. After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 crewmembers employed for years to come,” the airline stated.
Despite the reassurances about job security, Hopkins voiced strong disagreement with Avelo’s involvement in deportation flights, especially given the airline’s connection to Sonoma County, a region that heavily relies on its tourism industry. “A lot of folks are focused on the loss of jobs, but to me the greater impact is the impact to our tourist economy. And, let’s be honest, our economy is struggling right now,” Hopkins said.
In addition to shuttering its operations hub, Avelo will be cutting three routes out of Sonoma County Airport. However, the airline will continue to offer some flights through the airport, albeit with flight crews now based in Burbank, California.
Local airport officials, while acknowledging the changes, have downplayed the potential financial impact. Jon Stout, the president of the Sonoma County Airport, stated that the loss in revenue from parking and other services would be minimal, estimating a decline of less than $200,000. “Our operating budget is about $12-13 million, so it’s going to be very minor,” Stout said.
While the financial implications may be modest, the emotional and political fallout from Avelo’s decision has been far more pronounced. For many residents, the airline’s choice to participate in deportation flights is a bridge too far. Hopkins, for one, has made it clear that she would not welcome Avelo back to the area. “I personally would not welcome them back to Sonoma County, and I would join with many of my friends in protesting such a move because I think they’ve shown where their values are,” Hopkins said.
Avelo Airlines is scheduled to officially shut down its operations hub at the Sonoma County Airport on May 1, marking the end of its short-lived presence in the region. As the airline shifts its focus, the lasting impact on the local community remains to be seen, with many residents and officials questioning the broader consequences for both the economy and the region’s reputation.