ICE Deportation Flights Surge at Akron-Canton Airport, Unpaid Fees Pile Up

ICE Deportation Flights Surge at Akron-Canton Airport Amid Unpaid Fees

Akron-Canton Regional Airport has become a significant hub for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flights. By early October 2026, the airport had recorded approximately 180 such flights. This increase in activity has brought attention to a growing issue: unpaid landing fees owed by the charter carriers operating these flights. As of early October, three carriers collectively owe the airport $46,153 in landing fees, with some invoices dating back to June 2026.

The airport authority is actively seeking payment for these outstanding charges. The situation highlights the financial responsibilities associated with charter flight operations, even when they are for government purposes. The airport’s fee structure is based on aircraft weight and landing frequency, meaning the accumulated debt reflects the substantial volume of these specific flights.

Unpaid Landing Fees Mount for Charter Carriers

The total amount owed to Akron-Canton Regional Airport by three charter carriers is $46,153. This figure represents landing fees that have gone unpaid since June 2026. According to airport finance vice president James Krum, Eastern Air Express, Global X, and Air Wisconsin are the carriers involved. Eastern Air Express accounts for the largest portion of the debt, owing $41,540 through August. Global X has a cumulative balance of $3,034, and Air Wisconsin owes $1,579.

While the airport authority is pursuing payment, it faces limitations in barring the carriers from using the facility. As a public agency, the airport must provide access. Air Wisconsin is the only carrier that has reportedly contacted the airport authority regarding its outstanding invoices. The airport continues to work on collecting these fees, which are tied to the volume of charter activity and the weight of the aircraft used for these operations.

Flight Operations and Airport Services

The ICE deportation flights utilize a private service area at the Avflight facility on West Airport Drive, rather than a direct contract with ICE. Detainees are typically transported by bus from county jails across Ohio to board these flights. The primary destination for most of these flights is ICE’s staging center located in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Airport officials have described Akron-Canton as a “Great Lakes hub” for these deportation flights. The typical operation involves aircraft arriving in the evening, often originating from Alexandria, Louisiana, which serves as a major ICE prison and deportation center. In some instances, flights have also arrived directly from Tapachula, Mexico, indicating a broad network for these operations. The airport’s role involves providing runway access and managing fee collection, while the detainee transfer and flight operations are handled through the Avflight facility.

Temporary Diversion Due to Airport Incident

A minor incident involving two Eastern Air Express Boeing 737 aircraft at Akron-Canton Regional Airport on September 28, 2026, caused a temporary disruption to the deportation flights. Following the collision, operations were briefly moved to Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. This diversion lasted for at least three days before flights resumed at Akron-Canton.

This temporary shift back to Youngstown-Warren reversed the earlier relocation that occurred in late April 2026. At that time, deportation flights had moved from Youngstown-Warren due to repairs on one of that airport’s longest runways. The September incident at Akron-Canton highlights how even minor events can impact flight schedules and necessitate temporary changes in operational locations.

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