Southwest Airlines Offers Human Trafficking Awareness Curriculum To All Employees

Carrier Recognizes "World Day Against Trafficking in Persons" By Introducing Awareness Course to More Than 59,000 Employees

News provided by

Southwest Airlines Co.

Jul 30, 2019, 10:00 ET

DALLAS, July 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today reiterates its support of the global efforts to eliminate Human Trafficking by launching online curriculum for the airline's more than 59,000 Employees designed to bring greater awareness to the growing epidemic of Human Trafficking. The course is being launched today to highlight the United Nations' World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Southwest Airlines partnered with Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery, to create and offer this new awareness curriculum for Employees. While Human Trafficking does not always involve the movement, traveling, or transportation of people, statistics suggest that a large percentage of victims are transported via airplane during some portion of their experience. Therefore, Southwest Employees are being offered an overview of the crime of Human Trafficking, tips on how to identify Human Trafficking, and suggested actions that should be taken, if necessary, to combat suspected instances.

"Southwest operates on the guiding principles of civility and taking care of others with our collective Southwest Heart," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are proud to offer Human Trafficking awareness curriculum to the entire Southwest Team so that we can continue our efforts to identify any signs of Human Trafficking that might occur within our industry. This commitment further strengthens our mission of being good caretakers of the Customers and communities that we serve each day."

Southwest is also proud to support organizations like Polaris, United Against Human Trafficking, and Rethreaded that combat Human Trafficking or support its survivors. Their programs aid in identification, restoration and prevention efforts, and connecting survivors to support services across the country. Through monetary and ticket donations, Southwest supports these organizations in fulfilling their valuable missions and making a positive impact in the lives of those affected.

To Learn More:

Polaris: Polaris is a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery. Named after the North Star that guided slaves to freedom in the U.S., Polaris acts as a catalyst to systemically disrupt the human trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom. By working with government leaders, the world's leading technology corporations, and local partners, Polaris equips communities to identify, report, and prevent human trafficking. Polaris' comprehensive model puts victims at the center of what they do – helping survivors restore their freedom, preventing more victims, and leveraging data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever the traffickers operate.

United Against Human Trafficking (UAHT): UAHT is dedicated to ending Human Trafficking through awareness, education, and outreach. This organization identifies those trapped in cycles of exploitation and connects them to direct services. They also educate diverse communities to know and report the signs of Human Trafficking, while uniting the Greater Houston area against this crime.

Rethreaded: Rethreaded is a mindful gift company that provides long-term employment coupled with mental health services to survivors of Human Trafficking in Jacksonville, Fla. A Repurpose with Purpose partner, Rethreaded's mission is to renew hope, reignite dreams, and release potential for survivors of Human Trafficking locally and globally through business.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 49th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 59,000 Employees to a Customer base topping 130 million passengers annually. Southwest became the nation's largest domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains that ranking based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded. In peak travel seasons, Southwest operates more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 101 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries.

Southwest coined Transfarency^® to describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free^® to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply.

Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the carrier gives back to communities across the world by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest Airlines or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.