Shamere McKenzie, a human trafficking survivor, and CEO of the Sun Gate Foundation
March 2, 2026
A business aviation initiative to combat human trafficking took center stage March 2 at the 2026 NBAA International Operators Conference (IOC2026) in San Diego, with a focus on a strategic, cross-industry partnership aimed at providing the industry with actionable information and practical tools for recognizing and reporting the insidious global crime.
The panel discussion, titled “Eyes Open: Steps in Combating Human Trafficking,” highlighted how the often-elusive practice results in exploitation – especially of young people – and how aviation professionals can play a critical role in mitigating it.
According to the FBI, human trafficking “involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. The victim’s consent is irrelevant in trafficking cases.” Children and adults can be victims, experts say, but children are especially vulnerable because of their age and dependence on others.
The practice is a concern across all transportation modes, including aviation. U.S. government agencies have noticed the problem’s prevalence in international travel, and have assigned it a label, “irregular migration.”
In fact, human trafficking “continues to move across borders and through legitimate industries, including travel, hospitality and business aviation,” said Shamere McKenzie, a human trafficking survivor, and CEO of the Sun Gate Foundation. “You may never encounter it. But if you do, you might be the only person in the hotel lobby, the FBO or on the ramp who recognizes something isn’t right.”
In compelling testimony shared before a packed ballroom of conference attendees, McKenzie explained that she was swept up in the trafficking underworld as a financially struggling collegiate student-athlete who had lost her scholarship. An offer of financial assistance turned out to be a trap, putting her repeatedly in life-threatening circumstances.
McKenzie escaped her situation and has turned her adversity into action, launching her foundation, which funds collegiate scholarships for other trafficking survivors. “Education restores autonomy. It restores dignity. It restores opportunity,” she said.
Today, McKenzie also provides consultation to support programs to combat human trafficking, including the business aviation-focused partnership between Signature Aviation, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and NBAA.
In a call to action specific to the aviation community, she said: “As aviators, you follow checklists. You scan for anomalies and mitigate risk before it escalates. The same instincts apply here. You may observe a young passenger who never speaks for herself. Someone else is controlling her documents. Frequent short trips that don’t make sense. Fear that doesn’t match the setting. You are not there to investigate; you are there to notice and report. Awareness creates interruption.”
Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice president of safety, security, sustainability and international operations moderating the at IOC2026 session “Eyes Open: Steps in Combating Human Trafficking”
NBAA, Signature Aviation and AAAE Offer Practical Tools
Amanda Henderson, general manager for Signature Aviation’s facility at San Diego International Airport (SAN), joined McKenzie for the IOC session focused on mitigating human trafficking.
Signature Aviation’s global network of FBOs across 27 countries “gives us a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference with combatting human trafficking,” Henderson said. “We know that in order for people to report human trafficking, they need the tools to recognize it. We want to ensure our team members are trained to realize when something may not be right. Seeing something, saying something – that’s what can save a life.”
Session moderator Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice president of safety, security, sustainability and international operations, noted that the partnership with Signature Aviation and AAAE builds on the longstanding focus NBAA and the business aviation sector have brought to human trafficking mitigation.
“NBAA has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security, the Air Charter Association, the European Business Aviation Association and others to equip our industry with real, practical tools,” Carr said. “This partnership will expand and enhance our efforts to combat human trafficking.”
Carr noted that NBAA plans to make available on the association’s website in-depth resources first rolled out on the IOC2026 event app. Plans are also in development to provide content about human trafficking mitigation at the 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, Oct. 20-22.
“Between now and NBAA-BACE this fall, we’ll build on this work and keep you updated,” Carr said. “Aviation is strongest when we’re aligned.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.