Fighting Human Trafficking in the Skies

I take a lot of pride in the role Delta plays in bringing diverse people together and enabling families, friends and business partners to connect across the globe.

But while global aviation is a force for social and economic good, an unfortunate reality is that our industry has also unwittingly been used to facilitate human trafficking – a heartbreaking crime that will impact an estimated 27 million people this year alone.

That’s 27 million sons, daughters, mothers and fathers exploited for the sex trade or forced labor. 

For the past five years, I have been personally and professionally engaged in ending this terrible crime, which takes place throughout the U.S. and around the globe, in the communities where we live, work and travel. 

This is not a comfortable or easy topic, and it’s one that many companies would rather not address. But at Delta we pride ourselves on being different, and recognize that our moral guidebook, the Rules of the Road, obligates us to speak and make an impact. In 2011, we led the industry as the first airline to sign a Code of Conduct outlined by End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking (ECPAT). 

We’re equipping our people, no matter where they sit in the travel ribbon, to help in the fight. To date, more than 54,000 Delta people have taken human trafficking training so that they can remain alert.

Today, I challenge Delta customers to get on board and join us in our efforts to combat human trafficking. 

I am excited to share that we are partnering with Polaris, a leader in this effort and the operator of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. 

All Delta SkyMiles members can now donate miles to Polaris through our SkyWish program at Delta.com to cover the airfare survivors need to return home, receive critical services, reunite with their families or engage in survivor leadership opportunities. 

And we’re not stopping there. Delta will match the first 3 million miles donated. Together, we can make a dramatic and lasting impact on one of the fastest growing crimes in the world.

Community involvement is core to who we are at Delta, and I could not be more proud of what the Delta family is able to do for health, education, the environment, the military and the arts. For us, combating human trafficking is more than just a cause, it is a movement and a moral obligation as citizens of the world. 

Please join our fight. With 80,000 Delta employees and 180 million Delta customers on board, traffickers don’t stand a chance.