DELHI, 2 JUNE 2025 – SkyTeam and its member airlines have issued a joint Anti-Human Trafficking Declaration, becoming the first global airline alliance to launch a coordinated initiative to help prevent human trafficking. The unified awareness and prospective response program will include training for frontline staff, sharing best practices, and fostering partnerships with NGOs, law enforcement agencies, and governments.
The Declaration, which received unanimous support from all member airlines, was signed on 1 June at SkyTeam’s Alliance Board meeting in Delhi. It formalizes the alliance’s collective commitment to combatting this crime on a global scale. The initiative recognizes SkyTeam’s responsibility and opportunity to take action, guided by five core values: Ethical Responsibility, Empathy and Respect, Awareness and Education, Collaboration and Partnerships, and Survivor Support.
In support of the Declaration, SkyTeam has established a dedicated working group bringing together representatives from each member airline. Focus areas include:
Raising awareness among passengers and frontline staff;
Equipping cabin and ground staff to identify and report suspected trafficking;
Sharing best practices among member airlines;
Building partnerships with NGOs, law enforcement, and governments.
“This isn’t just a pledge—it’s a platform for change. Human trafficking is a hidden crime impacting 50 million people worldwide, many of whom are transported by air. The aviation industry must take action to help prevent this. As a global airline alliance, SkyTeam recognizes its unique position to intervene. By uniting our efforts, we can drive change and have far greater impact than any single airline acting alone."
Patrick Roux
CEO, SkyTeam
“For years, SkyTeam member airlines have taken individual steps to help prevent human trafficking. This initiative brings those efforts together under a unified commitment—reinforcing what’s already been done while allowing us to go even further. By equipping and empowering our frontline teams, we strengthen our collective ability to take meaningful action and protect the most vulnerable among us."
Andrés Conesa
SkyTeam Chairman
Learning from members already leading
SkyTeam member airlines have been individually pioneering best practices aimed at combatting human trafficking, including mandatory employee training, stakeholder partnerships, and clear reporting channels. The SkyTeam working group is now bringing their efforts together and enhancing these initiatives by scaling successful practices across the alliance.
Beyond policy: measurable change
Following the signing of the Anti-Human Trafficking Declaration, SkyTeam will begin to roll out programs building awareness, sharing best practices, and promoting the adoption of frontline training across the entire alliance. Moving forward, these efforts will extend to raising awareness among passengers, supporting initiatives that help survivors, and collaborating with international organizations.
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Notes for Editors:
SkyTeam Anti-Human Trafficking Declaration
SkyTeam and its member airlines are dedicated to playing a proactive role in the fight against human trafficking. As an alliance of global airlines, we recognize that we are uniquely positioned to help identify and report this crime that affects millions worldwide.
Our commitment is driven by five core values:
1) Ethical Responsibility
We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards. Human trafficking is a crime and violates the fundamental rights of individuals, and we refuse to be a channel for exploitation.
2) Empathy and Respect
We treat all passengers with dignity, respect, and empathy.
3) Awareness and Education
We invest in ongoing education for our employees, partners, and customers to raise awareness of human trafficking and its indicators. Our commitment extends to creating a culture where vigilance and compassion lead to action.
4) Collaboration and Partnerships
We partner with law enforcement agencies, governments, industry and non-governmental organizations dedicated to eradicating human trafficking. This open collaboration ensures that our efforts are part of a broader global network to identify, report, and combat human trafficking.
5) Survivor Support
We actively support initiatives to assist survivors of human trafficking. From providing resources for recovery to contributing to advocacy programs, we are dedicated to being part of the solution, both in the air and on the ground.
The SkyTeam Alliance believes that every journey should be a safe one. Our member аirlines stand united in the mission to help prevent human trafficking and promote human dignity worldwide.
About SkyTeam
SkyTeam is the global airline alliance dedicated to transforming the future of travel by powering the smartest and most integrated customer journey. With a focus on innovation and responsibility, SkyTeam and its members work together to connect customers across an extensive global network of 1,000+ destinations. SkyTeam offers 750+ airport lounges, award-winning SkyPriority airport services and makes travel more rewarding through its members’ loyalty programs. SkyTeam members are Aeroflot (suspended), Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, SAS, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Xiamen Airlines.
Contact: media@skyteam.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Traffickers often use commercial aviation to move victims unnoticed. As a global airline alliance connecting millions of passengers worldwide, SkyTeam's members are well-positioned to spot signs of exploitation and intervene safely and discreetly. We have a responsibility to act collectively because human dignity is non-negotiable.
In 2018, IATA denounced human trafficking, pledging to assist airlines in the fight and to promote collaboration. SkyTeam members have individually worked for years to prevent human trafficking. All 18 are now united under a single alliance-wide initiative in a joint Declaration.
SkyTeam member airlines have led anti-trafficking efforts for years. Now we act together, building awareness, sharing best practices, and scaling existing efforts across the alliance. This is a continuous effort, not a one-off campaign.