Airlines offer Aurora victims' families free trips to Denver International

As the families of last Friday's theater shooting victims jet across the country to attend memorial services for their loved ones, major airlines that serve the Denver area are offering some financial relief.

United Airlines, which has a hub at Denver International, is providing free air travel to the Mile High City for victims' families from outside Colorado, The Denver Post reported. Aurora, one of Denver's largest suburbs, is located about 18 miles from the airport.


"All of us were impacted by these events, and we want to help in any way we can," the airline told The Denver Post.

An uncle of 27-year-old victim Alex Sullivan reportedly thanked United on Facebook for accommodating about 25 family members to attend funeral services in Denver — many of whom live in Rochester, N.Y.

Southwest Airlines also serves Denver, and the Dallas-based carrier is giving families complimentary travel to Colorado. "We provided travel for the families of the victims and we’re working closely with local partners to accommodate their needs at this time," Southwest spokesperson Michelle Agnew said in a statement. Southwest is "available to help as many families as needed," she said.

Denver-based Frontier Airlines is doing the same. "As we are based in Colorado, you can imagine how many of us were impacted by last Friday’s events," airline spokesperson Lindsey Carpenter said in a statement. "We are just glad we can be of help to our grieving neighbors."

The Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, a victims advocacy group, is working with the families and airlines to book these flights.

This move by the travel industry comes alongside news that some Colorado hospitals are limiting or waiving victims' medical bills.

The July 20 shooting at an Aurora, Colo. movie theater left 12 dead and 58 injured.

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Discuss this post

Outstanding action!!!! Nice to see kindness happen.

  • 5 votes
Reply#1 - Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:24 PM EDT

its nice to see the people are supporting the victims . after hearing about that . i am know too afraid to even step foot iniside a theater. i like how we talk about people have rights to guns . what about the right to live our life without fear . even though i was not there . i could feel the pain how those people that never thought their life was going be the same . . i feel bad for those victims . i bet half if not all of them will ever go back into a theater .we should not have to live our lifes in fear . that is not fair

  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:33 AM EDT
Reply

Has a fund been put together to raise money for all the victims' medical needs? I know that many individuals are getting help, but would like to contribute to something that helps everyone.

  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:28 PM EDT
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This is what makes America great. People helping People. We need more stuff like this because without it all we are doing is fighthing. Thank You goes out to Colorado Hospitals, United, Southwest, Frontier and whom ever else maybe helping these familes. Your contribution is Outstanding.!!!!! Keep up the great work.

  • 2 votes
Reply#3 - Fri Jul 27, 2012 6:09 PM EDT

Frontier, United, and Southwestern---noted---the only airlines Americans should be considering. Also noted American, Delta, Continental, US Airways sat on their corporate profits and did nothing. Americans should remove them from those to be considered

  • 1 vote
Reply#4 - Sat Jul 28, 2012 8:51 AM EDT

I don't hold anything against American or Delta--this is not a hub or major location for them. Frankly, it would feel like a ploy if they jumped in. I think this is a genuine gesture from United, Southwest and Frontier.

Continental merged with United almost 2 years ago and combined operations earlier this year.

  • 1 vote
#4.1 - Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:42 AM EDT
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People first....how about that....

  • 1 vote
Reply#5 - Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:28 AM EDT

Again Southwest shows their "People First" philosophy. And it ALWAYS is the right thing to do. Thanks for sharing the LUV, SWA!

  • 2 votes
Reply#6 - Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:15 AM EDT

Im surprised that the haters have not started crying about "its not free we will end up paying it" Seems legit to me... Thank you airlines, but don't forget about the hundreds of other murders that happen daily, they might need help also..

    Reply#7 - Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:50 PM EDT

    Exceptional Frontier, Southwest and United! Just exceptional!

      Reply#8 - Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:02 PM EDT

      Bravo!! So wonderful to hear good news....

        Reply#9 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:51 AM EDT

        Hopefully all of the survivors will get help for the mounting medical bills. The last thing these people should worry about is bills. Hope it works out for all of them.

        • 1 vote
        Reply#10 - Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:05 PM EDT
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