The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is moving forward with plans to establish its own airline dedicated to deportation flights, aiming for operations to begin by 2027. The proposed fleet will include Boeing 737-700s and Gulfstream C-37B jets, the latter being the military version of the G650ER.
According to sources, DHS is conducting market research to identify a private operator that will manage flight crews, maintenance, and security for the fleet. The airline will operate around the clock, using a hub-and-spoke model to handle deportations, emergency evacuations, medical transports, and senior official travel.
DHS has already acquired six Boeing 737-700s from Avelo Airlines, with plans to add a seventh. Two Gulfstream C-37Bs have also been obtained. The 737-700s can carry up to 149 passengers and fly up to 3,800 miles, while the Gulfstreams offer ultra-long-range capability for high-priority missions.
Congress has allocated tens of billions of dollars to support immigration enforcement, including funding for this new air fleet. Currently, deportation flights are operated by charter airlines like GlobalX under contract. The DHS initiative aims to bring these operations in-house for greater control and efficiency.
A formal tender for the operating contract is expected after the market research phase concludes.