Blue Lightning Initiative

Fighting Human Trafficking Through Aviation Awareness

Virtower™ is a first of kind strategic training partner for the The Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI).

What Is the Blue Lightning Initiative?

Virtower™ is a first of kind strategic training partner for the The Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), an element of the DHS Blue Campaign, led by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and DHS Component Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The BLI trains aviation personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims, and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement. To date, over 150 aviation industry partners have trained more than 400,000 employees through BLI, and actionable tips continue to be reported to law enforcement.

150+

Aviation Partners

400,000+

Employees Trained

Training Module

How It Works

The BLI virtual training module is 25 minutes in length and comprises four lessons.

What is Human Trafficking?

Indicators of Human Trafficking Activity

Reporting Suspected Human Trafficking

Indicator Challenge

The training illustrates common indicators of trafficking that aviation employees may encounter, and how to immediately report suspected trafficking to law enforcement via their airline's in-flight reporting protocol or the ICE Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line.

Participation

Who Should Participate?

Participation is open to any domestic or international aviation industry organization.

FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016

Requires air carriers to provide initial and annual flight attendant training on recognizing and responding to potential human trafficking victims.

FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018

Expands requirements to include ticket counter agents, gate agents, and other air carrier workers who regularly interact with passengers.

Participating as a BLI partner is a straightforward way to meet these requirements.

Virtower's Role

“Virtower provides a valuable conduit to both General Aviation and Commercial Service Airports who may not have heard of the Blue Lightning Initiative. Through training and awareness, we will further enhance the likelihood of human trafficking detection.”
— President, Virtower LLC

BLI partner logos — U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Department of Transportation are Federal agencies of the United States Government and are separate and distinct entities from this company.

Airport Training & Resources

Arrange Training for Your Airport

To arrange BLI training or resources for your airport, complete the form and our team will be in touch.