Seven mass deportation jets bought under Kristi Noem sit mostly idle at Louisiana Airport

Deportation Jets Remain Mostly Idle at Louisiana Airport

Indiadailyupdate.com – Seven mass deportation jets bought under Kristi Noem have spent most of their time parked at Lake Charles Regional Airport in southwest Louisiana. The Boeing 737-700 aircraft were acquired to support expanded federal deportation operations, but flight-tracking data indicates they have seen limited use.

ADS-B Exchange records show that each of the seven aircraft completed fewer than five flights after April 2026. While the planes were intended to increase the Department of Homeland Security’s capacity to move detainees, DHS is now considering other roles for part of the fleet.

DHS considers VIP use for four aircraft

In September, DHS requested proposals to convert four Boeing 737s for congressional delegations and other VIP travel. The department has not publicly explained what it plans to do with the remaining three planes or responded to questions about their future.

The potential conversion would be a major change in purpose for the aircraft. Seven mass deportation jets bought during Noem’s DHS tenure were part of an effort to expand immigration-related flight capacity as the Trump administration pursued a broader deportation campaign.

Noem later left the department amid criticism from Republicans and Democrats over her leadership, including objections to more than $200 million spent on a self-promotional advertising campaign. One advertisement showed her on horseback near Mount Rushmore before it was canceled.

Other DHS initiatives from the same period also faced setbacks. A proposal to convert warehouses into large immigration detention centers was largely abandoned after the government had spent more than $1 billion acquiring the facilities.

ICE continues using charter and commercial flights

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has long relied on charter operators, commercial carriers and military aircraft for deportation flights. DHS had argued that owning aircraft could make transfers more efficient, but ICE has continued operating through its existing arrangements.

Through the end of September, more than 2,400 deportation flights had been completed to 82 countries, according to Human Rights First data. ICE also oversaw more than 11,200 domestic flights across 39 states during that period.

The continued use of outside aviation providers has raised questions about whether Seven mass deportation jets bought for federal use were necessary. John Sandweg, a former acting ICE director during the Obama administration, said aircraft availability had not been a major obstacle to deportation operations.

“Why would you want to own your own fleet when you own all the problems?”

Operating a dedicated federal fleet also requires crews, maintenance, scheduling, certifications, security arrangements and medical support. Charter agreements can place some of those responsibilities with outside operators, while government-owned aircraft require DHS to manage them directly or arrange long-term operational support.

Additional aircraft were purchased in March

On Noem’s final day in office in March, DHS bought five additional aircraft from Daedalus Aviation. The purchase included two Gulfstream business jets and a Boeing business jet. An online listing for the Boeing business aircraft described 17 passenger seats, a full kitchen and two bedrooms.

In July, DHS sought information from companies capable of supporting continuous flight operations for deportations and other departmental missions. The agency envisioned contractors providing pilots, co-pilots, flight attendants, flight nurses and security staff when needed. No contract for those services had followed.

Several 737s considered for congressional travel have long commercial aviation histories. One was first operated by Southwest Airlines before joining Avelo Airlines in 2021. DHS acquired it through Daedalus Aviation in February 2026, and it recorded only one trip after mid-March: a September 16 flight that departed Lake Charles and returned there.

Louisiana FAQ: What Does the Idle Fleet Mean?

Where are the aircraft located?

The seven Boeing 737-700 aircraft are based at Lake Charles Regional Airport in southwest Louisiana.

Are the planes currently conducting deportation flights?

Flight-tracking records show limited activity after April 2026, with each aircraft making fewer than five flights. ICE deportation flights have continued through charter, commercial and military arrangements.

Could the aircraft be used for other government travel?

DHS requested proposals to refit four planes for congressional delegations and other VIP travel. The department has not publicly detailed a final decision for those aircraft or the other three jets.