For Avelo, which is based in Houston and started flying in 2021, the flights offer a solution to a big problem: It needs to make more money.

“I realize some may view the decision to fly for [Homeland Security] as controversial,” Chief Executive Andrew Levy told employees in a message the day after striking the agreement. After extensive deliberations, he said, “we concluded this new opportunity was too valuable not to pursue, as it will help us stabilize our finances and allow us to continue our journey.”

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