Southwest Airlines Continues Commitment to Combatting Human Trafficking with New Training Curriculum

Carrier recognizes National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month with additional training for Employees and continued support of organizations

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Southwest Airlines Co.

Jan 14, 2021, 11:30 ET

DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today renews its support of the global efforts to eliminate Human Trafficking by announcing that additional training curriculum has been launched for Southwest Employees. The curriculum is designed to bring greater awareness to the global problem of Human Trafficking while highlighting National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

"We're proud to introduce additional training for our Frontline Employees who are committed to supporting the Safety of our Customers and Employees throughout our operation," said Elizabeth Bryant, Vice President Southwest Airlines University. "In addition to this new curriculum, Southwest Airlines maintains long-standing community partnerships with organizations that are working hard to combat Human Trafficking and sexual misconduct, and we appreciate their guidance and work on these issues which, in turn, informs our training development."

The new training, which updates procedures for identifying and addressing suspected instances of Human Trafficking and sexual misconduct, will be added to the recurrent training curriculum for Customer-facing Employees; specifically, those Employees on Southwest's Inflight Operations, Flight Operations, and Ground Operations Teams. This training supplements the existing curriculum that was launched to all Southwest Employees in 2019.

Southwest recognizes the importance of playing a role in helping organizations fulfill their critical missions in communities around the country, especially those directly related to the airline industry. The airline is proud to support programs and services aiding in prevention, rescue, and restoration efforts for Human Trafficking survivors and works with organizations including Polaris, United Against Human Trafficking, It's a Penalty, and Hoʻōla Nā Pua.

For more information about the airline's partners and efforts to combat Human Trafficking, visit Southwestonereport.com. While onboard, Customers may also link to Southwest's One Report via banner placements on the Inflight Entertainment Portal.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 58,000 Employees to a Customer base that topped 130 million passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust point-to-point, non-stop route network, with a strong presence in top leisure and business markets. In peak travel seasons during 2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 101 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier added service to Hilo, Hawaii; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, Palm Springs, Calif., Steamboat Springs, and Montrose (Telluride and Crested Butte). In 2021, Southwest will begin service to both Chicago (O'Hare) and Sarasota/Bradenton on Feb. 14; both Savannah/Hilton Head and Colorado Springs on March 11; Houston (Bush) on April 12; and Jackson, Miss., on June 6. The carrier has announced an intention to add service in the second quarter of 2021 in Fresno and Santa Barbara.

The carrier issued its Southwest^®Promise in May 2020 to highlight new and round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees wellbeing and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, and face covering requirements for Customers and Employees. Additional details about the Southwest Promise are available at Southwest.com/Promise.

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). Southwest does not charge 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.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.