Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) sent a follow-up letter to major airline industry leaders today requesting additional considerations for those wounded and the families of those killed in the attack in Las Vegas. These follow-up requests include that airlines send personnel to the convention center to support families and that the airlines provide discounted transportation charges for the remains of those slain so that families may bury their loved ones.
“As we continue to do everything we can to assist the victims and their loved ones from Sunday night’s senseless shooting in Las Vegas, we wanted to encourage you to consider additional policies that would ease travel for families at this difficult time,” the senators wrote. “Your focus and attention to the victims, the deceased, and those closest to them will ensure one less painful experience in the devastation of this week’s events.”
The full text of the follow-up letter can be found below:
To the leaders of the commercial airline industry:
As we continue to do everything we can to assist the victims and their loved ones from Sunday night’s senseless shooting in Las Vegas, we wanted to encourage you to consider additional policies that would ease travel for families during this difficult time. As we learn more about the innocent victims from this tragedy, it has become clear that many are from other parts of the country and the world. Because Las Vegas welcomes nearly 43 million visitors every year, airlines have a unique role to play in responding to the current tragedy.
At this time, we ask that your airlines send customer service personnel to the Las Vegas region to specifically resolve any challenges that victims and their families may face as they try to return home. The community would appreciate it if you could provide personnel to help book travel and assist in logistics for those who need it at the Las Vegas Convention Center, which is currently acting as a family reunification and resource center.
Further, we are requesting that you thoroughly review your funeral shipment policies and extend sensitivity to rates, logistics, and customer service to those who must now transport the remains of the innocent victims of this violent act.
We want to ensure grieving families do not face any challenges as they try to bring their loved ones home. Your focus and attention to the victims, the deceased, and those closest to them will ensure one less painful experience in the devastation of this week’s events.
We again applaud the efforts that many of you are making to assist during this painful time. We ask you to find ways to provide every support to those facing unimaginable grief and a community rallying to support them.
Sincerely,
Catherine Cortez Masto Dean Heller
United States Senator United States Senator