Cortez Masto, Heller Urge Airline Industry to Aid Las Vegas Massacre Victims, Families

Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) today urged the leaders of the commercial airline industry to implement various policy changes to aid the families of those affected by Sunday’s massacre at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas.

“We wish to thank you for your efforts to date in helping passengers who have flown into Las Vegas under these difficult circumstances or requested that their flight plans change,” said the senators. “With Americans from all corners of the country being affected by this horrific tragedy, we feel even more can be done to help. We implore all airlines to keep a close and watchful eye on the pricing of flights for those impacted.”

The senators continued, “Additionally, we urge you to immediately begin the process for expanding customer assistance efforts, implementing economically sensitive airfare and fee policies, like those for ticket changes, cancellations, and all baggage fees, and ensuring that any and all refunds are promptly issued for flights.”

The text of the letter can be found below:

To the leaders of the commercial airline industry:

Following the senseless and shocking shooting in Las Vegas, we call on all major airline carriers operating to and from McCarran International Airport to consider implementing a number of policy changes, including ensuring reasonable and economically sensitive airfares, expanding customer service, waiving costly fees, and promptly issuing refunds to the victims, their family, and friends to assist delivering them safely to one another.

We wish to thank you for your efforts to date in helping passengers who have flown into Las Vegas under these difficult circumstances or requested that their flight plans change. With Americans from all corners of the country being affected by this horrific tragedy, we feel even more can be done to help. We implore all airlines to keep a close and watchful eye on the pricing of flights for those impacted. Additionally, we urge you to immediately begin the process for expanding customer assistance efforts, implementing economically sensitive airfare and fee policies, like those for ticket changes, cancellations, and all baggage fees, and ensuring that any and all refunds are promptly issued for flights. This request also comes with the expectation that your policies are communicated clearly and promptly so that those impacted can make transportation arrangements expeditiously. In no way whatsoever should individuals and families be forced to delay or cancel their efforts to reach loved ones because of expensive tickets or the accumulation of costly fees.

Given the scope and the nature of this tragedy, there will be a variety of traveling needs, and we encourage all national airlines to do the right thing and assist in supporting the families and friends looking to travel to the side of those dearest to them, and victims seeking to return home safely. Because of the nature of our Las Vegas economy and its wide tourism base, we are already a hub for travelers throughout the country and the world. Assisting those affected by this tragedy by enacting these changes will be welcomed for many victims and their families.

We appreciate your consideration of our request. Again, we appreciate the previous actions of your airlines, and we look forward to hearing back on what more you can do to ease the pain of an already horrific experience for the victims, their families, and our nation.

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