Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Portions of the Department of Transportation are currently in shutdown/furlough status due to a lapse in appropriations. Please continue to monitor this page for updates on DOT’s operating status.

Aviation Industry Resources to Counter Human Trafficking

Put the Brakes on Human TraffickingSurvivors of human trafficking report being subjected to the crime through all modes of transport, including aviation. Human traffickers recruit, transport, and exploit their victims via commercial and private airports and airplanes in urban and rural communities. 

This page offers information, training, printable materials, graphics, and resources to counter human trafficking in the aviation industry.  

Indicators of Human Trafficking in Air Travel

As an aviation-sector employee who interacts with travelers, you play a critical role in preventing, recognizing, and reporting suspected instances of human trafficking in and around airports and airplanes. 

Learn the signs or indicators of human trafficking, which can be observed in the airport during check-in, security check, or boarding. They can also be present on the airplane itself.

Initiatives and Training

Blue Lightning Initiative

The U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI) trains aviation industry personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement.  BLI offers a 25-minute training video for aviation personnel.  Participation is open to any U.S. aviation industry organization and to international air carriers serving the United States. Learn more about BLI and how to access the BLI virtual training module.

Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) initiative is comprised of transportation and travel industry stakeholders working jointly to maximize their collective impact in combating human trafficking. TLAHT offers a 20-minute multimodal training video for transportation employees and the traveling public.  Access TLAHT’s multimodal human trafficking awareness training.

Awareness Materials and Resources

Download, share, and display posters, pocket cards, social media graphics, and other graphics to help spread the message on how to identify and report suspected instances of human trafficking. Posters and social media graphics include a QR code that links to the TLAHT awareness campaign page. We request that users sign the TLAHT pledge to utilize the materials.

Item English Materials Spanish Materials
Cards: Pocket

Counter-trafficking pocket card, suitable for the aviation industry.

Aviation Pocket Card (English)

Counter-trafficking pocket card, suitable for the aviation industry.

Aviation Pocket Card (Spanish)

Graphics: Logos (Horizontal)

Airplane icon and the words "Put the Brakes on Human Trafficking"

Airplane Logo (Horizontal)

 
Graphics: Logos (Vertical)

Airplane icon and the words "Put the Brakes on Human Trafficking"

Airplane Logo (Vertical)

 
Graphics: Social Media

Counter-trafficking graphic, suitable for airplanes.

Airplane Graphic (English)

Counter-trafficking graphic, suitable for airplanes.

Airplane Graphic (Spanish)

Graphics: Social Media

Counter-trafficking graphic, suitable for airports.

Airport Graphic (English)

Counter-trafficking graphic, suitable for airports.

Airport Graphic (Spanish)

Infographic

Human Trafficking Infographic English cover photo.

What is Human Trafficking? USDOT Infographic

Coming Soon
Mode-Specific Toolkit

An image of the aviation sector toolkit.

Aviation Sector Toolkit (English)

Coming Soon
Poster

Airplane counter-trafficking poster

Airplane Poster 8.5” x 11” (English)

Airplane Poster 24” x 36” (English)

Airplane counter-trafficking poster (Spanish)

Airplane Poster 8.5” x 11” (Spanish)

Airplane Poster 24” x 36” (Spanish)

Poster

Airport counter-trafficking poster (English)

Airport Poster 8.5” x 11” (English)

Airport Poster 24” x 36” (English)

Airport counter-trafficking poster (Spanish)

Airport Poster 8.5” x 11” (Spanish)

Airport Poster 24” x 36” (Spanish)

Public Service Announcement

Click the three vertical dots to download the .wav file.

Audio file

Click the three vertical dots to download the .wav file.

Audio file
Toolkit

An image of the aviation sector toolkit.

Aviation Sector Toolkit (English)

Coming Soon
Training

Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Awareness Training video cover photo

Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Awareness Training Video

Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Awareness Training video cover photo

Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Awareness Training Video