Media Guide

Introduction

The Maryland Aviation Administration’s (MAA) Office of Communications is committed to serving the needs of the traveling public and the mass media. The MAA owns and operates Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) and Martin State Airport and regulates the State of Maryland’s 36 public-use airports. The purpose of the MAA’s Media Guide is to provide the local and national media with the means to obtain information and assistance from the MAA and the tenants of BWI and Martin State Airports. In addition, the MAA Office of Communications provides access to information about regional aviation programs and serves as a liaison to commercial airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

CONTACT US

MAA Office of Communications, 410-859-7027, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

BWI Office of Communications Automated Paging System, 410-859-7737, after business hours, weekends and holidays. An MAA Public Affairs Specialist will be immediately notified and will rapidly respond to media inquiries.

Media should not call Airport Operations, as the Operations Center staff is busy with the safe management of BWI facilities.

MEDIA ACCESS TO PUBLIC AREAS

Photography of the security checkpoints at the entrance to each pier is prohibited. These security screening areas, the equipment and personnel may not be photographed according to Airport security policy.

In addition, only ticketed passenger may proceed through security according to post-9/11, FAA direction. The media is welcome in public areas that include but are not limited to terminal lobbies and hallways prior to the entrances of security screening areas at BWI and Martin State Airports. Public areas also include parking lots, garages, roadways and designated aircraft observation areas.

When filming at the airport, taking still photos, or conducting interviews, all media should contact the MAA Office of Communications for assistance prior to arriving at BWI. Media representatives are required to display press identification and identify themselves to anyone they interview, photograph, or film.

The media should not block or restrict movement anywhere in the terminal and entrances and exits should not be obstructed. When conducting interviews, the media must not interfere with airport or airline operations.

Aircraft arrivals and departures may be viewed from the BWI Observation Gallery, the upper level terminal roadway adjacent to Concourse A and the International Pier. The Thomas A Dixon Observation Area along Dorsey Road (MD-176) is an ideal location to view arrivals and departures near the south end of Runway 15/33 L, one of BWI’s two primary commercial jet runways.

At Martin State, arrivals and departures can be viewed from the Administration Building or as directed by Martin airport management personnel. The MAA reserves the right to restrict media activity at any location on airport premises if public security, safety, or operational concerns so warrant.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

All requests for interviews with MAA representatives should be made to MAA Director of Communications, Jonathan O. Dean, who will provide the appropriate spokesperson to address the particular topic of the interview.

The first available communications representative on-scene, or the communications representative best able to provide information about the incident, accident or event will answer calls to BWI as a result of on-going incidents, events, and or accidents. (See also WEATHER and DELAYS)

BWI will answer all telephone calls in the order the calls are received. Requests for telephone interviews will be honored if the interview will occur immediately. Communications staff may not be able to hold for an extended period of time if other calls are being received or if staff members are awaiting return calls.

Calls to Martin State Airport regarding ongoing incidents, events and/or accidents will be forwarded to the MAA Office of Communications. If the incident is of such a nature that it requires a member of MAA Communications to be at Martin State Airport, that person will handle inquiries at Martin State upon their arrival.

PARKING AND LIVE SHOTS

Media personnel will park all vehicles in the public parking lots. Television trucks providing a live shot or satellite feed may park in the grass and next to the entrance of the parking lot outside the international pier. Take Interstate 195 to Aviation Boulevard to Elm Road. Turn left at the first traffic light, cross the light rail tracks and turn right onto a service road that leads toward the international pier and BWI’s light rail station.

All vehicles must be attended at all times on airport roadways. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. MAA Communications personnel, time permitting, will validate the parking claim check for media who park in BWI’s short-term garage or parking lots. Validated parking stubs allow the holder to exit BWI parking lots free of charge. At Martin State, there is no charge for parking.

If there is a serious incident or emergency, BWI will designate a staging area for media parking. Transportation for media and equipment will be provided by BWI. Media will be notified via telephone, FAX and/or Internet web site of the location of the staging area.

WEATHER and DELAYS

Airlines, FAA air traffic controllers and pilots determine the delay, cancellation or re-routing of flights. Inquiries about the number of impacted flights and passengers should be directed to individual airlines.

Adverse weather conditions could affect airport operations due to airfield conditions, visibility or other reasons. The airport does not close during most inclement weather conditions. At times, there may be an interruption in operations in order to clear snow and ice from the runways or ramps. Atmospheric conditions, navigational equipment, aircraft equipment, pilot qualifications, aircraft de-icing, ground movement and terminal gate availability all impact decisions to have flights delayed, canceled or re-routed to other airports.

Only during severe weather would the runways close for any extended period of time. Flights may be delayed or canceled due to weather at the flight destination or in other cities. The terminal would remain open unless damaged or other safety concerns warrant closing all or part of the terminal. Some airlines or the FAA may delay arrivals or departures until visibility and conditions improve.

POLICE INCIDENTS

If a criminal investigation is underway, coordination of press activity will be the responsibility of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) Police. MdTA Public Affairs will answer questions. Filming of crime, accident or incident scenes or other investigative events will be controlled by the MdTA Police.

COMMERCIAL FILMING

Requests to film at BWI should be made to the MAA Office of Communications. MAA Communications will coordinate requests to film at Martin State Airport through the Airport Manager. Media interested in filming passengers, aircraft and/or equipment of a particular airline must receive approval from MAA Communications and that airline’s corporate or local contact. MAA Communications will assist the media in contacting the airlines. FAA security measures are always enforced.

Requests for commercial or non-profit filming should be directed to Nancy Sites of the MAA Office of Communications at 410-859-7026. Applicable charges and insurance apply and a Location Agreement must be completed and reviewed by a representative of the MAA Legal Office.

The BWI website www.bwiairport.com can be used as a source for current and historical information, including press releases, flight information updated by the airlines, ground transportation services, area hotels and more.

For information about Martin State, log on at www.martinstateairport.com.

LEASED AREAS

The areas that are leased by the airlines and other tenants, including ticket counters, gate areas/waiting areas, airline clubs, private offices, stores and restaurants are under the control of those parties. Media access to those areas must be approved by the appropriate business.

AIRFIELD ACCESS

Airfield access is strictly controlled. Requests for filming in the aircraft operation areas and near the aprons will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Prior notification is essential to ensure adequate staffing exists to perform escort duties. Requests for access will be accommodated to the extent manpower, operational considerations and safety permit. In the event of an emergency situation or other events that requires the full attention of the Airport Operations staff or Martin State Airport management, a prearranged escort may be cancelled.