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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pursuing plans to create its own airline, which will include a fleet of government-owned airplanes that will be utilized to operate deportation flights. More recently, the airline has been utilizing charter aircraft, such as those with GlobalX, to provide charter flights under the current directive.
DHS is undertaking a search to find an appropriate operator that would fly the planes and support the deportation flights, in addition to responding to emergencies and being a form of transport for senior officials. It is understood that the fleet of aircraft would include the Boeing 737-700 and Gulfstream C-37B (the military classification for the G650ER).
The Department Plans Round-The-Clock Operations For The Deportation Airline
As described by Bloomberg, the DHS is looking at round-the-clock operations and operators that can fly on short notice to support domestic and international missions through a hub-and-spoke network. The approved contractor would be responsible for providing trained pilots, flight attendants, and, where necessary, flight nurses and additional security personnel.
The US Government is now undertaking extensive market research to understand the full scope before planning a formal competition where the contract will be open for tender. Aviation companies have been approached by the DHS recently to understand more context on how they could operate and maintain the fleet of proposed aircraft.
If it proceeds, the airline will provide flights primarily for forced and voluntary deportations, while also being on standby for crisis response, medical evacuations, other ‘high-risk’ missions, or transporting senior department officials as part of the continuity of government and diplomatic missions.
Boeing 737-700 And Gulfstream G650ER
The department has already obtained several aircraft, including the 737-000, due to its practicality of carrying up to 149 passengers in an all-economy class configuration, while having a maximum range of up to 3,800 miles (6,115 km). It is a suitable contender due to its being the smallest of the 737 NG family of planes. Already the department has acquired six of these planes from US operator Avelo Airlines.
Alongside the 737, DHS looks to operate the G650ER military derivative known as the C-37B. The Gulfstream jet is an ultra-long-range private aircraft that is a military jet used for global airlift and travel for senior leaders or dignitaries. It has the ability to travel at approximately 345 miles per hour (552 kmph) and has a range of up to 6,700 miles (10,720 km). The total number of the fleet has been proposed as follows:
Aircraft Type | Number To Be Operated |
|---|---|
Boeing 737-700 | Seven (six already acquired) |
Gulfstream C-37B (G650ER) | Two (already acquired) |
Congress recently approved tens of billions of dollars to support the Trump Administration’s push on illegal immigrants and deportation. This is seeing investment in detention, border security, and deportations. The DHS now looks to assemble its own fleet of planes, which would have flight operations outsourced to a private operator.
Current Deportations Operated By Charter Airlines
Global Crossing Airlines
At present, the deportation flights are being undertaken on privately owned and chartered aircraft from third-party contractors. The move from the DHS to now look to establish its own fleet of planes will reduce the reliance on charter providers, and thus provide lower overhead costs in the long run.
It is no secret that President Trump has made deportations and a crackdown on illegal immigration a key part of his agenda. Trump has ambitious goals to deport around a million people per year. Bloomberg reports that between January 2025 and April, 550,000 individuals have been detained or deported from the United States, which has split the political divide as Republicans push for aggressive enforcement and mass removals, while the Democrats are asking for due process and humanitarian pathways.
Daedalus Aviation Corp has already acquired six 737 airplanes that are set to be part of this fleet, and were acquired from Avelo Airlines, with the cost amounting to around $140 million. Additionally, the two Gulfstream aircraft are already registered with the department, with Daedalus holding the registration address.
