Report on Human Trafficking and Its Implications in Aviation

Author: Lynn Frederick Dsouza

Email: [email protected]

Executive Summary

Human trafficking isn’t just a distant crime buried in statistics; it’s a daily, visceral violation of human dignity, particularly for women and children. India’s vast aviation network has unwittingly become a conveyor belt, transporting thousands of vulnerable victims, many of whom fall prey to the darkest corners of exploitation. This report delves into the underbelly of trafficking, mapping out the disturbing realities faced by victims, the challenges aviation confronts in identifying traffickers, and what needs to change for these skies to be safer.

1. Human Trafficking in India: The Grim Reality

India, often lauded for its economic ascent, also harbors a bleak undercurrent. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2021, the country saw over 6,533 trafficking cases—62.5% of those victims were women. These are not just numbers on paper, but real stories of exploitation: women forced into the flesh trade, shackled to domestic servitude, or even sold into forced marriages under the guise of a better life.

But why do they fall prey?

• Poverty and Desperation: Many traffickers prey on the hopes of women from impoverished communities, promising them jobs or even marriages in the cities, only to shatter those dreams upon arrival.
• Gender Inequality: In patriarchal societies, women are often treated as commodities, their vulnerability amplified by discriminatory cultural norms.
• Displacement: Whether from natural disasters or conflicts, displaced women and children are like low-hanging fruit for traffickers, too desperate to see the dangers ahead.

2. How Aviation Becomes the Gateway for Traffickers

Imagine this: a bustling airport, flights taking off to destinations far and wide. But within this routine lie traffickers quietly ferrying their victims—many of whom are women—across borders. Trafficking through aviation is discreet and fast, especially when traffickers use forged documents and coach victims to remain silent, terrified into compliance.

India’s major international hubs, like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, are prime transit points for these networks. Yet, there are clues that aviation personnel can catch—if they know what to look for.

Tell-Tale Signs:

• Unsettled Behavior: Women who are noticeably anxious, unable to speak for themselves, or accompanied by someone who seems controlling, are often overlooked by busy ground staff.
• Fake Documents: Many trafficked women don’t have proper identification. Instead, they’re handed fake papers, which authorities may glance at without question. These are the women who never make it back home.

3. Government Steps: Laws on Paper, Action in Airports

India isn’t standing idly by. The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018, was supposed to be the panacea for trafficking. While it promised strict punishment for traffickers and comprehensive support for victims, real change remains sporadic. What does exist, however, are Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) stationed at key airports to detect suspicious movements.

But is this enough?

• The National Action Plan for Anti-Human Trafficking (NAPHT) has added another layer of action, pushing for collaboration between law enforcement and aviation authorities, though implementation gaps still exist.

4. The Cold Facts: Women at the Heart of Trafficking

Let’s not forget the numbers. Out of the 6,533 victims reported in 2021, over 4,080 were women. Here’s the stark breakdown:

The image above tells a haunting story. Women are the main prey, trafficked often via air routes where checks are scarce, and victims remain invisible. Each statistic is a life erased into the dark network of exploitation.

5. Challenges in the Skies

Even with laws and protocols, the aviation industry faces hurdles:

• Lack of Awareness: Ground staff and flight crews, the first line of defense, often remain unaware of the red flags. Training programs exist but are far from universal.
• International Crime Networks: Human trafficking isn’t a local issue. It’s international, with women being moved from rural India to faraway countries, often through multiple stopovers. Interpol cooperation is improving but needs acceleration.

6. Recommendations: Grounding the Networks

Here’s how aviation can make a real difference:

• Universal Training: Every airline, every airport—staff must be trained to recognize the subtle signs of trafficking, particularly involving women. Whether it’s suspicious behavior or inconsistent travel documents, vigilance is key.
• Stronger International Ties: Indian aviation authorities need to build tighter networks with global enforcement agencies. Information-sharing and joint operations will help intercept traffickers before they disappear across borders.
• Legislative Teeth: The laws must bite harder. Stricter penalties for traffickers using aviation and stronger victim protection at points of transit are non-negotiable.

7. Conclusion

Human trafficking is a harrowing reality, particularly for women in India. And while the aviation industry is inadvertently facilitating this modern slavery, it also holds the potential to stem the tide. Training, awareness, and stronger enforcement are the need of the hour. The Indian government’s efforts, while commendable, need more rigorous execution, especially within airports.

The skies must become a refuge for freedom, not a highway to enslavement. Women deserve better. We owe them a future where travel means opportunity, not exploitation.

For more information please contact: Lynn Frederick Dsouza, Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: National Aviation Council, Email: [email protected] or visit wicci.in