Chris Christie Calls Video Of Bloody United Passenger 'Abusive,' Demands Changes

Gov. Chris Christie wants changes to the airline booking system now that a video of a passenger being forcibly removed from a United Airlines flight has surfaced. United is Newark Liberty International Airport's largest airline.

Christie has written a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, asking her to immediately suspend the federal regulation permitting airlines to overbook flights and to remove passengers as a result.

The governor specifically cited the recent actions of United Airlines, which controls 70 percent of the flights in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport, against David Dao who was “bumped” off a flight from Chicago to Louisville this past week.

“This conduct is abusive and outrageous. The ridiculous statements, now in their third version, of the CEO of United Airlines displays their callousness toward the traveling public with the permission of the federal government,” Christie said in a statement.

Read more: United CEO Praises Employees After Passenger Bloodied And Kicked Off Plane

“I know the Trump Administration wants to reform regulations to help the American people. This would be a great place to start.”

The governor said that New Jersey is examining ways it could curtail this abusive practice, but because of the federal regulation, it can be most immediately dealt with by the federal government.

After several days of hedging, United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz fully apologized in a public statement Tuesday, saying: "Like you, I continue to be disturbed by what happened on this flight and I deeply apologize to the customer forcibly removed and to all the customers aboard."

Video/photo courtesy of CBS, Jayse D. Anspach @JayseDavid