First U.S. Immigrants Flown to Rwanda on Deportation Jet N588AT
A Gulfstream V business jet operated by Journey Aviation has carried the first group of U.S. immigrants to Rwanda, marking the start of a controversial relocation agreement.
On August 15, Gulfstream V N588AT departed San Antonio, Texas—home to one of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) detention facilities—carrying seven immigrants. The aircraft arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, on August 16 after a refueling stop in Shannon, Ireland. The flight follows a recent deal signed by President Trump with the Rwandan government to host up to 250 immigrants from the United States.
The track of the aircraft on August 16 can be seen in the screenshot below. Soon after entering the airspace of Algeria ADSB-exchange receivers lost the signal. However Flightradar does track the aircraft but with no identification shown. By following FR24 the aircraft could be seen landing at Kigali.
The same aircraft has been used repeatedly by the U.S. government for deportation and special missions. In May and June 2025, N588AT conducted deportation flights from Texas to Djibouti. The jet is also notable for its role in December 2022, when it was chartered to bring basketball star Brittney Griner back to the United States following her release from a Russian prison.
Journey Aviation, the Florida-based charter operator that flies the aircraft, frequently contracts with the U.S. government for high-profile missions.
