Committee advances measure to bar county business with airlines that operate charter deportation flights

The sponsor introduced a resolution that would prohibit Albany County from doing business with airlines that operate deportation charter flights—stating that county employees would not use such airlines for official travel and that the county would not enter into promotional or co‑branding partnerships with them. The sponsor clarified the policy would not allow the county to evict an airline from Albany County Airport but would restrict county purchasing and travel relating to airlines that 'engage in charter flights solely for the purpose of deportation.'

Opponents warned the policy could encourage ad‑hoc blacklists and drag the county into national controversies. One member asked, "How do you get on the list? How do you get off the list?" and raised concerns about subcontracting and umbrella contracts used by the federal government. The sponsor and other members said the draft language referred to chartered or contracted deportation flights and that staff could refine the language to ensure subcontractors were covered if intended.

Nut graf: After debate over scope, subcontracting and procurement implications, the committee voted to forward the resolution with a favorable recommendation; the chair called the vote and noted two members voiced opposition. The sponsor said there were currently no airlines servicing Albany that would meet the draft definition, making the policy forward‑looking.

Ending: The resolution will move to the full legislature; counsel and staff may refine procurement language and criteria for inclusion or removal from any list before final adoption.