Flair Airlines unveils anti-human trafficking initiative in Aviation sector

Friday, February 23, 2024

Today, on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Flair Airlines unveils its Safe Passage Program, a dedicated initiative aimed at raising awareness and aiding the collective effort to combat human trafficking in Canada. Recognizing human trafficking as one of the country’s fastest-growing crimes, often facilitated through air travel, Flair acknowledges the pressing need for action and the crucial role airlines play in addressing this issue.

Unlike conventional staff training approaches, the Safe Passage Program forges direct partnerships with law enforcement agencies such as the Peel Region Police, Toronto Police Services, and Halifax Regional Police. While airlines typically provide standard training to identify potential trafficking situations, this program stands out by collaborating directly with law enforcement to offer immediate support to survivors. This support includes facilitating flights to safety and ensuring access to essential services through a dedicated mileage program, continuously refined based on feedback from law enforcement to meet the evolving needs of survivors.

The Program Operation:
– Upon identifying a victim, law enforcement can promptly request complimentary flight vouchers through a streamlined process facilitated by Flair.
– Flair’s security team responds swiftly by providing vouchers, enabling officers to book flights for victims to reach safety.

By extending its anti-trafficking initiatives beyond basic training, Flair sets itself apart as the sole airline in Canada actively supporting law enforcement in the fight against human trafficking.

“Flair is proud to lead the charge in advocating for social justice and community impact. We have a
responsibility to use our platform to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation,” said Stephen
Jones, CEO of Flair Airlines. “Passenger safety is at the core of our business, and we understand the
critical role aviation plays in raising awareness of these issues. It’s a harsh reality that these crimes can
occur on flights, but together, we can take action to combat them. By taking proactive measures and
working closely with our partners, we are not only protecting vulnerable individuals, but also fostering
safer communities. I encourage the entire industry to join Flair in being a catalyst for social justice to
ensure that the skies remain a safe passage for all.”
“Peel Police welcomes involvement from community stakeholders and partners to support those affected
by human trafficking and recognizes the importance of necessary supports and resources. We commend
programs such as Safe Passage that facilitate the journey from human trafficking victim to survivor and
will continue to prioritize anti-human trafficking efforts for our service and for our community.” Peel
Regional Police
“The Toronto Police Service is thankful for the assistance that Flair Airlines provides to those impacted by
human trafficking. Their innovative Safe Passage program is connecting survivors of human trafficking
with critical services, and most importantly, with safety. Community safety is a shared responsibility, and
we thank Flair Airlines for the collaborative efforts in the fight against human trafficking and for assisting
those affected by it.” – Detective Constable David Oh, Toronto Police Service, Human Trafficking
Enforcement Team
“Halifax Regional Police wants survivors of human trafficking to know that police are here to help.
Survivors will be treated with dignity and respect and their safety remains our primary goal. This
initiative is just one of the ways that we are able to do that,” said Halifax Regional Police S/Sgt. Scott
MacDonald, officer-in-charge of the Integrated Human Trafficking Team.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of transportation, particularly air travel, in enabling such nefarious activities, Flair has been in collaboration with #NotInMyCity since 2021. Their joint efforts have been focused on raising awareness to combat sexual exploitation and trafficking, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding children and youth within the transportation sector. Through this partnership, Flair has introduced an aviation-centric e-learning module and awareness campaign, reaching out to more than 600 employees and stakeholders. This inclusive training initiative extends to encompass contract and third-party workers, highlighting the importance of recognizing potential trafficking scenarios.

Furthermore, Flair has teamed up with Coca-Cola to institute a donation program. For every Coca-Cola bottle sold on a Flair flight, a portion of the proceeds is allocated to #NotInMyCity to bolster various anti-trafficking initiatives and provide support to survivors.

“Flair’s new partnership with Coca-Cola will help make a difference in the lives of women and girls as we
continue the fight against human trafficking,” said Paul Brandt, founder of #NotInMyCity. “I’d like to
extend my deep gratitude to Flair Airlines for their ongoing work to help shine a light on human
trafficking and sexual exploitation.”

Additionally, Flair will be actively engaged in a Special Investigators Human Trafficking Summit, where they will directly address law enforcement officers, sharing insights from their initiatives and collaborating with other professionals to bolster strategies in combatting human trafficking. Flair firmly believes that businesses hold a moral responsibility to tackle systemic issues and contribute to societal progress. By taking proactive measures against human trafficking and sexual exploitation, Flair reaffirms its dedication to supporting communities and upholding human rights.

Ways to Participate:
To gain a deeper understanding of the issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Canada, individuals can enroll in a free, interactive e-learning course titled “Mobilizing Communities to Disrupt Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking in Canada.” More information is available at notinmycity.ca/learn.

Individuals are encouraged to support the Government of Canada’s Zero-Tolerance approach to all forms of human trafficking by endorsing the Canadian Declaration. This initiative acts as a driving force for collective action, promoting collaboration among Canadians and international influencers to effectively combat and eradicate human trafficking and forced labor slavery. Explore further at canadadeclaration.ca.

In cases where individuals witness or experience human trafficking or sexual exploitation, they are encouraged to contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-101. Further details can be found at notinmycity.ca.

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