DOT and DHS joint initiative on Human Trafficking—BLUE LIGHTING

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Human Traffickers use Aviation to move their slaves

Interdicting these men and women is a matter of awareness

DOT and DHS initiate campaign–Blue Lightning— to stop them

DOT and DHS have initiated a concerted effort to STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING. The comprehensive awareness and detection campaign is described below.

Human Trafficking has been aviation’s unwitting  scourge for many years, but its prevalence has only been highlighted for less than 10. It is a subject worth repeating, and the Journal has used this site to reinforce awareness among the women and men who work moving passengers as their profession; Here are a few of those posts:

JUNE 10, 2015

Aviation’s Role In Stopping Human Trafficking; What Will You Do?

 JANUARY 4, 2016

2016 Resolution: Make AWARENESS Of Human Trafficking A Personal Priority, Please

 FEBRUARY 3, 2016

A Reminder For Aviation Professionals To Prioritize Stopping Human Trafficking In Scanning Airport Passengers

 FEBRUARY 21, 2018

TWO REAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING SAVES

 APRIL 22, 2019

PLEASE READ AND BE AWARE OF THIS IMPORTANT HUMAN SAFETY MESSAGE

 FEBRUARY 2, 2020

PLEDGE TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN AIR TRANSPORTATION

 JUNE 4, 2020

Proof That YOU Can Help Prevent Human Trafficking Somewhere In Aviation

 

 

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Blue Lightning Initiative

The Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), led by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is an element of the DHS Blue Campaign. The BLI trains aviation industry personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims, and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement.  To date, more than 200,000 personnel in the aviation industry have been trained through the BLI, and actionable tips continue to be reported to law enforcement.

Blue Lightning Initiative Training Module

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The FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, requires air carriers to provide initial and annual flight attendant training regarding recognizing and responding to potential human trafficking victims.  The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 expands the requirement to include “ticket counter agents, gate agents, and other air carrier workers whose jobs require regular interaction with passengers on recognizing and responding to potential human trafficking victims.” Becoming a BLI partner and using the virtual training is a simple and responsible way to adhere to these requirements.

The BLI training was developed based on feedback from aviation industry experts and human trafficking survivors.  The training is 25 minutes in length, and is comprised of four lessons that include:

1. What is Human Trafficking?
2. Indicators of Human Trafficking Activity
3. Reporting Suspected Human Trafficking
4. Indicator Challenge

How Does the Blue Lightning Initiative Work?

Participating BLI partners instruct their employees using the BLI virtual training module and associated printed educational materials. The training may be integrated into partners’ initial or refresher training for flight attendants, pilots, customer service representatives, and other aviation industry personnel.

The BLI training illustrates common indicators of trafficking that aviation employees may encounter, and how to immediately report suspected trafficking to law enforcement.

The BLI’s real-time reporting mechanism gives law enforcement the ability to research and analyze information, and to coordinate an appropriate and effective response.

To alert authorities about suspected trafficking, as outlined in the BLI training, airline employees can follow their airline’s in-flight reporting protocol or call the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line.

How to Participate

For airlines, airports, and aviation industry organizations wanting to learn more about using the BLI to inform their employees about human trafficking and their reporting options, contact bluecampaign@hq.dhs.gov and trafficking@dot.gov for more information.

Participation is open to any U.S. aviation industry organization. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security are considering whether and how to expand the BLI training to foreign-flagged airlines.

Current Partners

The Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security are pleased to partner with the following organizations in combating human trafficking through the Blue Lightning Initiative.  The U.S. Department of Transportation does not endorse or approve the products, services or opinions of the partners.  This list of active partners will be updated periodically.

AIRLINES [where are AA, AS, HA,and UA]
Air Transport International
Alaska Seaplanes
Allegiant Air
Atlas Air
Chantilly Air
CommutAir
Contour Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Delux Public Charter (dba JSX)
Elevate Jet, LLC
Empire Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Global Crossing Airlines
Hillwood Airways
Hyannis Air Service (dba Cape Air)
IBC Airways
Jet Aviation
JetBlue Airways
Kalitta Charters
Key Lime Air
Meridian Air Charter
Mesa Airlines
NetJets Aviation
Omni Air International
Premier Jets, Inc.
Silver Airways
SkyWest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Sun County Airlines
UPS Airlines
Waltzing Matilda Aviation        

AIRPORTS             
Appleton International Airport
Barkley Regional Airport
Bishop International Airport
Clark County Department of Aviation
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport
Concord-Padgett Regional Airport
Corpus Christi International Airport
Dallas Fort Worth International
Daniel K. Inouye International
Dayton International Airport
Des Moines International Airport
El Paso Airport
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole
Gerald D. Ford International Airport
Hilo International Airport
Houston Airport System    
Huntsville International Airport
Juneau International Airport
Kahului Airport
Kenton County Airport Board/CVG Airport
King County International Airport
Lihue Airport
Louisville Regional Airport Authority
Martha’s Vineyard Airport
Miami International Airport
Milwaukee Mitchell International
Northeast Ohio Regional Airport
Philadelphia International Airport
Redding Municipal Airport
Richmond International Airport
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport
Rogue Valley International – Medford Airport
San Antonio International Airport
Stillwater Regional Airport
Tucson Airport Authority

ASSOCIATIONS
Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA)
Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA)
Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA)
Association of Flight Attendants (AFA)
Helicopter Association International (HAI)
National Air Carrier Association (NACA)
National Air Transportation Association (NATA)
Regional Airline Association (RAA)

TRAINING INSTITUTES
Cypress College
Locked On
The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies
SkyAngels
University of North Dakota Department of Aviation

COMPANIES
ClearMe
Downey Aviation Services
Hallmark Aviation Services
Mead & Hunt
Prosegur Service Group
Ross & Baruzzini

What Other Actions Can Airlines and Aviation Industry Organizations Take to Help Stop Human Trafficking?

Airlines, airports, and aviation industry organizations can post the Blue Lightning Initiative poster, indicator card or basic Blue Campaign human trafficking awareness materials inside aircrafts as well as air the Blue Campaign infographic on pre-flight videos to educate passengers to recognize and report human trafficking.

What Can Passengers and the General Public Do?

 

We all have a responsibility to be vigilant. Passengers and the general public can help by learning the basic indicators of human trafficking by taking the DHS Blue Campaign’s general awareness training to recognize and report human trafficking.

                                                                         Stay Connected

 

 

 

 

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