Press Release

For Immediate Release
July 7, 2022

Alexandria, Va. – The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation (DOT) in support of the Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), which trains airport tenants and staff on how to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims, and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement. AAAE will make virtual BLI training courses available to aviation workers through its various training services that are used by hundreds of airports across the country.

“AAAE and the airport community are committed to fighting human trafficking,” said Kyle Herbig, AAAE Vice President, Customer Solutions. “Partnering with DHS and DOT on the Blue Lightning Initiative will help standardize human trafficking awareness training and prevention for thousands of workers at hundreds of airports that rely on AAAE for compliance and supplemental education and further unite us in our efforts to protect vulnerable individuals.”

“BLI is proud to announce a new partnership with AAAE,” said Karinda L. Washington, Executive Director of Social Impact and Campaigns with the Department of Homeland Security. “This partnership will make the BLI training accessible to AAAE’s member airports nationwide and will further the aviation industry’s collective efforts to combat this heinous crime.”

“The DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) commends the Blue Lightning Initiative for being at the forefront of providing relevant and impactful information to the aviation industry which has resulted in a vital segment of the workforce being better equipped to recognize and respond to human trafficking,” said CCHT Director Cardell T. Morant. “The Center appreciates our ongoing partnership with the Blue Campaign so together we can enhance the DHS mission to combat this egregious crime no matter where it occurs.”

“The U.S. Department of Transportation is proud to work with our partners across government and the aviation sector on critical counter-trafficking efforts,” said Julie Abraham, Director, Office of International Transportation and Trade at the U.S. Department of Transportation.  “When frontline aviation personnel are trained to recognize and report suspected instances of human trafficking, actionable tips are reported to law enforcement to help stop the crime.  This BLI partnership highlights the commitment of the airport industry in joining airlines and industry associations across the country to take a stand against human trafficking.”

Human trafficking is one of the world’s largest criminal enterprises. Raising awareness and identifying the signs of human trafficking amongst airport workers can help prevent this crime.

AAAE will make available across its computer-based training services, Digicast, and Interactive Employee Training (IET), the latest virtual BLI training course developed for aviation employees by DHS and DOT. AAAE’s computer-based training services are used by more than 300 airports across the country and deliver more than one million training sessions annually on airport related topics.

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ABOUT AAAE: Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world's largest professional organization representing the individuals who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE's 9,000 members represent over 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program. aaae.org

ABOUT BLI: The Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), led by the Department of Transportation 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. dhs.gov/blue-campaign.

Blue Campaign is a member of the Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT), a cross-Department coordination center for countering sex trafficking and forced labor, including the importation of goods produced with forced labor. CCHT’s mission is to advance counter-human trafficking law enforcement operations, protect victims, and enhance prevention efforts by aligning DHS’s capabilities and expertise.

CONTACT:
Joel D. Bacon
Executive Vice President, Government and Public Affairs
703.575.2478

@AAAEDelivers