Avelo Airlines protestors are celebrating after the Houston-based carrier announced its retreat from a California base.

Avelo Airlines is closing its base at Hollywood Burbank Airport later this year, a decision the company says “has no effect on our Connecticut service or operations.” The budget

What are the reasons behind Avelo's West Coast retreat, and what does it mean for regional air travel in California and beyond?

Avelo said leaving Burbank was unrelated to its controversial contract with ICE. Backlash against the contract nor the contract itself has impacted Avelo’s business, the carrier said.

Low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines is planning to withdraw from the West Coast of the USA by year-end, a sweeping strategic change that signals significant financial difficulty for the start-up.

Avelo Airlines will shut down its base at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) by early December, ending a four-year presence at its West Coast hub. The airline cited challenging market conditions and limited financial returns in the region. It will instead target more profitable opportunities on the U.S. East Coast and in charter flying.

Avelo Airlines, a Texas-based low-cost carrier, announced plans to shut down its base at Hollywood Burbank Airport by December 2, citing financial challenges and an uncompetitive market. The airline,