Washington, DC - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Monday a new formal partnership arrangement with Southwest Airlines Co. as part of the Donations Acceptance Program. Under this partnership arrangement, Southwest Airlines will provide CBP with discarded luggage available at air ports of entry where both partners operate. CBP will in turn use this luggage to train canines to search for and detect narcotics, weapons, and other illegal contraband entering and leaving the United States.

“CBP is pleased to announce its first corporate partnership with a major airline for the provision of canine training aids,” said Todd C. Owen, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations. “These training aids are important in helping CBP achieve its mission of safeguarding America’s borders and protecting the public from dangerous people and materials.”

CBP and GSA are authorized to accept donations of real property, personal property (including monetary donations) and non-personal services from private sector and government entities pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Accepted donations may be used for port of entry construction, alterations, operations, and maintenance activities.

Public-private partnerships are a key component of CBP’s Resource Optimization Strategy and allow CBP to provide new or expanded services and infrastructure at domestic ports of entry.