Daedalus Aviation Pulls Out of Wilmington Airport Lease After Activist Pressure

The decision comes after state lawmakers called on the governor to oppose the proposed lease over the company's federal immigration enforcement contracts.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Daedalus Aviation has notified the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) that it is no longer pursuing a hangar lease at Wilmington Airport. This decision follows activist and state lawmakers' calls for the governor to oppose the proposed lease due to Daedalus' federal contracts tied to immigration enforcement aviation services. The situation comes after previous protests at the airport involving Avelo Airlines and its deportation-related flights.

Why it matters

The withdrawal of Daedalus Aviation's plans highlights the growing public scrutiny and opposition to companies with ties to immigration enforcement operations at local airports. This reflects broader debates around the role of private businesses in federal immigration policies and the pressure community groups can exert to influence airport activities.

The details

Daedalus Aviation informed the DRBA on Tuesday that it would no longer be pursuing the hangar lease at Wilmington Airport. This decision came after activist groups and state lawmakers urged Governor Matt Meyer to oppose the proposed lease, citing Daedalus' federal contracts for immigration enforcement aviation services. The issue follows previous protests at the airport over Avelo Airlines' deportation-related flights, which ultimately led the airline to end its involvement in those operations.

  • On Tuesday afternoon, Daedalus Aviation notified the DRBA that it is no longer pursuing a hangar lease at Wilmington Airport.
  • In recent weeks, activist groups and state lawmakers had called on Governor Meyer to oppose the proposed Daedalus lease due to the company's federal immigration enforcement contracts.
  • Prior to this, Wilmington Airport had seen protests over Avelo Airlines' deportation-related flights, leading the airline to end that part of its business.

The players

Daedalus Aviation

An aviation company that had been in negotiations for a hangar lease at Wilmington Airport, but has now withdrawn those plans.

Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA)

The agency that oversees Wilmington Airport and was in talks with Daedalus Aviation about the hangar lease.

Governor Matt Meyer

The governor of Delaware, who was urged by activist groups and state lawmakers to oppose the proposed Daedalus lease at Wilmington Airport.

Avelo Airlines

An airline that previously operated deportation-related flights out of Wilmington Airport, which prompted protests and led the airline to end that part of its business.

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What they’re saying

“As a federally obligated airport sponsor that has received approximately $100 million dollars in FAA grant funding for ILG since 1995, the DRBA will continue to comply with applicable federal and state laws as it pursues additional aeronautical users and diversified revenue sources to support growth at the airport.”

— DRBA (firststateupdate.com)

What’s next

The DRBA stated it will continue to comply with federal and state laws as it seeks new tenants and revenue sources to support growth at Wilmington Airport.

The takeaway

This decision by Daedalus Aviation highlights the growing public scrutiny and opposition to companies with ties to immigration enforcement operations at local airports. It reflects broader debates around the role of private businesses in federal immigration policies and the influence community groups can have in shaping airport activities.