Signature Aviation this week signed the U.S. Department of Transportation’s "Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking" pledge, joining other companies in the transportation sector in educating its employees and raising public awareness of this illegal activity.
With ancillary activities centered around this weekend’s Superbowl in Las Vegas attracting tens of thousands of visitors, they are also drawing increased scrutiny from vigilant authorities working to prevent human trafficking. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, crimes like human trafficking can be more prevalent during events like the Super Bowl due to the mass volume of people and anonymity that large gatherings provide.“There is evidence around certain sporting events and other things that some of this trafficking increases,” Signature CEO Tony Lefebvre told AIN. “We’re very prominent in Las Vegas and we want to make sure that the event is not only a great one for everybody who is coming in but also a safe event.”
While many airports along with municipal and state governments and aviation departments have previously joined the DoT effort, Signature is the first dedicated aviation service provider to do so.
“Private aviation operators are on the frontlines of the fight to end human trafficking,” said Michael Camal, senior engagement manager with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking. “We are grateful that Signature is leveraging its vast resources and global workforce to combat this heinous crime.”
Signature, the world’s largest FBO operator, has participated in the DHS’ Blue Lightning Initiative, which trains aviation personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement. In 2020, the chain rolled out its own internal supplemental training curriculum, developed in partnership with the American Association of Airport Executives, which provides clues on the behaviors of both the victims and perpetrators. Since then, more than 3,000 of its employees have participated in the program, which is a requirement for all new hires within the first week of their employment.
“The International Organization for Migration has stated that nearly 80 percent of international human trafficking journeys cross through border control points, including airports,” noted Lefebvre. “That makes this an incredibly important and relevant issue for us, and one where we have the ability to make a tangible difference.”
This past year, Signature also became the first corporate sponsor of the Freedom Aviation Network, a nonprofit organization that provides safe and efficient air transportation for human trafficking victims, and it became a sponsor of Covenant House, which provides immediate and long-term support for young people facing homelessness and the effects of human trafficking.
“I take this responsibility very seriously as the largest private aviation terminal operator to take the lead on this,” said Lefebvre, adding that he believes it is the right thing to do. “I encourage our fellow operators of private aviation terminals to join us in this effort.”