Airline Passengers Deserve Answers

Washington, D.C. – During a Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security hearing today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) focused on United Airlines’ treatment of its passengers following the forced removal of a passenger from a United flight. Heller discussed issues related to what he perceives as a decrease in quality and increase in price for customers. He specifically asked about leg room for flights and inquired about setting parameters for how much leg room will be provided to passengers. When Heller questioned if United Airlines plans to reduce leg room similar to new levels announced by American Airlines, United refused to answer.

Heller’s concerns stem from the fact that air travel is essential to Nevada’s tourism economy, and the McCarran and Reno international airports alone serve over 50 million passengers each year. In fact, shortly after the United Airlines controversy occurred last month, Heller called on the Senate Commerce Committee to hold a hearing. Click HERE or below to watch. 

Throughout his time in Congress and the Nevada State Assembly, Heller has worked for solutions that will promote Nevada’s tourism economy.

In 2015, Heller successfully secured tourism-focused provisions in the first long-term highway bill approved by Congress in nearly a decade. In 2016, he included policies in the Senate-passed aviation bill to bolster air service at smaller airports and expand facilities that offer multiple modes of transportation (i.e. bus, rail, Uber, and taxis). In the final days of the 114^th Congress, the Nevada delegation successfully enacted bipartisan legislation that encourages public-private partnerships to boost staffing and make infrastructure improvements at airports – the Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act.

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