American Airlines is taking a strong stand against human trafficking by joining the government’s Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), a move that will see thousands of its staff undergo specialized training in identifying potential traffickers and victims. This collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) underscores American Airlines’ commitment to combating this pervasive issue.

“As a key element in the federal government’s fight against the scourge of human trafficking, the Blue Lightning Initiative is a crucial program,” emphasized Gary Tomasulo, the Vice President of Corporate Security at American Airlines. Highlighting the airline’s longstanding partnership with law enforcement to tackle human trafficking, Tomasulo expressed pride in deepening this cooperation through the BLI.

Under this initiative, American Airlines' flight attendants, pilots, customer service representatives, and other team members will receive comprehensive training to enhance their understanding of human trafficking indicators and appropriate responses. With an annual training capacity of over 70,000 team members on the subject, American is on the forefront of efforts to raise awareness and combat human trafficking within the aviation sector.

Prior to its involvement in the BLI, American Airlines was actively engaged with the Blue Campaign, now a part of the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking. This transition underscores the airline’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with government agencies and industry partners to address human trafficking.

“The partnership between the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and American Airlines to train aviation personnel on recognizing and reporting human trafficking suspicions is invaluable,” commented Julie Abraham, Director of the Office of International Transportation and Trade at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Emphasizing the importance of raising awareness among aviation professionals and the public, Abraham commended the airline industry’s dedication to combating human trafficking.

The announcement of American Airlines’ participation in the BLI on January 10, 2024, coincided with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, an initiative that has been running in the U.S. since 2010. With an estimated 27.6 million people worldwide, including in the U.S., falling victim to human trafficking, initiatives like the BLI are crucial in addressing this global crisis.