Avelo Airlines, a budget carrier, began deportation flights from Arizona on Monday under contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Flights departed from the Mesa Gateway Airport

Avelo Airlines, a budget airline that serves mostly small U.S. cities, began federal deportation flights Monday out of Arizona, a move that's inspired an online boycott petition and sharp criticism from the union representing the carrier’s flight attendants.

Avelo Airlines says it's counting on a new federal contract for deportation flights to help the discount carrier grow its regular passenger service.