Air Asia Philippines announced its collaboration with police, airport authorities, and immigration officials to enhance security at the country’s main gateways to combat human trafficking during the upcoming holiday season when an increased number of travelers is expected.
In a statement, the airline explained that this partnership with the Bureau of Immigration, Manila International Airport, and the Philippine National Police aims to “ensure the highest levels of safety and wellbeing for all guests.”
The initiatives involve key industry stakeholders to bolster security at the country’s primary gateways, especially concerning serious issues such as human trafficking during the busy travel period.
Hundreds of AirAsia personnel, including ground staff, security, and flight crew, underwent specialized training to recognize, profile, and assist trafficking victims.
The proactive measure seeks to support government authorities in monitoring the rising number of intercepted human trafficking victims reported by the Bureau of Immigration, which, as of September this year, includes approximately 700 cases.
“The comfort and wellbeing of our guests and crew is always our top priority. Our strong collaboration with relevant authorities and stakeholders, through proper reporting channels and robust safety and security management systems, helps protect Filipinos when they choose to fly with AirAsia,” said AirAsia Head of Communications and Public Affairs & First Officer Steve Dailisan.
Dailisan mentioned that this proactive approach, in conjunction with the Bureau of Immigration, was recently implemented in line with AirAsia’s strict procedures after a potential trafficking incident was intercepted.
“As many Filipinos prepare for end-of-year holiday travel, traffickers may attempt to pass off victims as tourists during this time. Our highly trained Allstars (employees) remain vigilant against trafficking networks that might exploit the excitement of the season, working closely with authorities to ensure the safety of our travelers and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation,” he said.
Dailisan emphasized that the airline is committed to ensuring that travel is safe and affordable for all passengers through active collaboration with government agencies, maintaining the highest standards of operational integrity at all times.
With the holiday travel season approaching, AirAsia encourages all travelers to stay informed and vigilant, urging passengers to report any suspicious activity to help maintain a secure travel environment.
The airline advises the people to be cautious of suspicious job offers, visa requirements, and verify overseas job offers and recruitment agencies to protect themselves from trafficking schemes.
