The revelations in the report of June 26, that Portland City Councilor Kate Sykes is pursuing a full accounting from Portland city officials and Jetport administrators about Avelo Airlines, should be concerning to everyone in our state. Councilor Sykes is to be commended for her determination to get to the core of what is happening with an airline that shackles and chains nonviolent passengers on deportation flights from the U.S.

The amount of funding (perhaps we should call it corporate welfare) that Portland Jetport gives Avelo is rather shocking. While it may not come directly out of taxpayer dollars, the amount we have to pay to other airlines when we fly out of the Jetport includes fees that contribute toward this subsidy. Both New York state and Connecticut are currently considering removing any public subsidy to this airline based on its participation in ICE illegal extraditions.

Portland’s administration turning a blind eye toward the deportation activities of Avelo is shameful, to say the least. As individuals we can certainly boycott the airline, should Portland be welcoming them to our civic table with free handouts for a year? I think not.

Irving Williams
Peaks Island