Nevada senators urge airlines to enact new policies after Las Vegas shooting

Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Dean Heller (R) in a letter on Tuesday called on the commercial airline industry to implement new policies to aid travelers in the wake of Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas. 

“With Americans from all corners of the country being affected by this horrific tragedy, we feel even more can be done to help,” the two senators wrote in their letter. “We implore all airlines to keep a close and watchful eye on the pricing of flights for those impacted.”

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Addressed to 10 CEOs of major airlines, the senators urged the executives to implement “reasonable” airfares and demonstrate flexibility in accommodating customers affected by the deadly shooting trying to reach friends and family. 

Cortez and Heller directed the executives 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.”

Citing the increased volume of air traffic in and out of Las Vegas, an already highly-trafficked tourist destination, the senators pushed the airlines to act immediately to communicate new policies, allowing passengers to quickly adjust their travel arrangements.

The Sunday shooting in Las Vegas briefly shut down the city’s McCarran International Airport, which later reopened with heavy delays, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

“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,” the letter said.