Media Info

Airfield access is strictly controlled. Requests for filming in the aircraft movement areas 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 staffing and operational considerations permit. In the event of an emergency situation or other event that requires the full attention of the Authority staff, a prearranged escort may be cancelled, with or without notice.

If a criminal investigation is under way, coordination of news media activity will be the responsibility of the Airport Authority. The GFIA Police will control filming of crime scenes or other investigative events.

News media personnel may park marked vehicles in the designated media and delivery vehicle parking area near gate 4 while on assignment at GFIA. If space is not available in this area, media personnel should park in the public parking facilities. (Please note that vehicles entering the parking garage may not exceed 8-feet 2-inches in height. Taller vehicles will need to opt for the North Lot or the Economy Parking Lot.) Personal or unmarked vehicles must always be parked in the public parking facilities. Parking will not be validated for media personnel using the public parking facilities.

If prior permission has been obtained from an authorized airport representative for parking in locations other than those mentioned above, a dash placard - issued by the Airport Police Office - must be prominently displayed in the windshield and vehicles may not be left unattended in those locations without express permission from authorized airport personnel.

The Airport Authority reserves the right to restrict news media activity at any location on airport premises if public security, safety, or operational concerns so warrant.

It is the policy of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority to cooperate with the news media to the greatest extent possible. Our primary responsibilities, however, are safe, secure, and orderly airport operations. When there is an emergency situation at Gerald R. Ford International Airport that is expected to generate extensive news media attention, the following procedures will serve as guidelines:

• The Authority's Communications Department will report to the airport. During normal business hours, a Communications department staff member or designated airport representative will also be available to answer news media calls in the Authority's administrative offices. Please note: The early hours of an emergency situation are spent responding to the emergency and calling in appropriate staff. If a situation is expected to require an escort for the news media to a site on the airfield, the news media will be advised to report to a media staging area. News media briefings may be scheduled in a designated briefing/coordination center. The anticipated location for these briefings is the International Room, located in the passenger terminal main hall near the security screening checkpoint. The secondary location is the West Michigan Aviation Academy located at 5363 44th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512.
• Briefings may be conducted by the airport President/CEO, Marketing and Communications Manager/PIO, or other designated Airport Authority staff member, as the situation warrants. If an aircraft accident is involved, the National Transportation Safety Board investigating team will take charge of the investigation and the release of information relative to that investigation. In circumstances where only property damage occurs, the FAA may conduct the investigation. If possible criminal or terrorist activity is involved, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will take charge of the investigation and the release of information relative to that investigation.
• Only members of recognized news media organizations with appropriate visible identification will be permitted in news media briefing areas and on the Aircraft Operations Area (AOA) or transported to the scene of an emergency. The Incident Commander will determine whether news media will be escorted onto the AOA. At times, it may be necessary to pool media resources.
• During an on-airport emergency, media aircraft/helicopter operators must request permission to enter the airport control area through the FAA Control Tower. Should any request be denied, the aircraft must remain outside the airport boundaries and at an altitude as directed by the FAA Control Tower. Med-evac helicopters will have highest priority.
• Based on the nature of the situation at hand, the official in charge will determine any restrictions on the movement of media personnel that may be necessary to allow a safe and orderly response.
• Photographs and video may be taken from any area where access has been permitted; however, Public Safety and Airport Operations personnel may restrict the use of flash, strobes, and other lighting that might affect the response to the situation.
• The media must not restrict the public's access to gates, ticket counters, baggage areas, or other areas in the terminal.
• While the Authority recognizes the importance of interviewing passengers, the Authority will work to protect the right to privacy for passengers and their families. If any individual does not wish to be interviewed or photographed, the Authority will support this decision. In addition, during an aircraft incident, access to passengers may be subject to approval by the involved airline or other authorized agencies.
• Media representatives will not resist, obstruct, oppose, or interfere with any law enforcement officer in the lawful execution of his or her duties, and are not exempt from any federal, state, or local laws and, if arrested, will be treated in the same manner as any violator.
• The Airport Authority will make every effort to provide a working area for credentialed media.
• During an emergency situation, the Airport Authority Communications staff will provide only the following information:
• Date and time
• Name of aircraft operator
• Type of aircraft and flight number
• Number of persons on board (if confirmed)
• Runway affected
• Impact on airport operations
• Note: All other information must be obtained from the aircraft operator or the appropriate federal agency. Airport Public Affairs staff will provide only information that has been confirmed/released by the airline, NTSB, FAA, or TSA.
• In a non-aircraft emergency situation, the Marketing and Communications Manager/PIO will coordinate the release of information with the Public Safety officials or Airport Operations duty manager in charge of the emergency response. GFIA Police are in charge of investigating traffic accidents and criminal activities on airport property. Fire officials are responsible for fire and rescue and medical response operations.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority (GFIAA):
The GFIAA maintains operational control of the airport during aircraft emergency situations (i.e., determines extent of runway/facility closures, operational restrictions, etc.).

National Transportation Safety Board:
The NTSB and the FAA are the federal agencies that investigate aircraft accidents. They also take custody of the aircraft and its contents from the time fire/rescue activities are concluded until a full investigation is completed, or a release is given. The Airport Authority Communications staff may assume a support role to the NTSB or the FAA at their request.

The NTSB also operates a Family Assistance program intended to assist family members of those involved in an aircraft incident. Family counseling, victim identification and forensic services, communicating with foreign governments, and translation services are among the services with which the federal government may help local authorities, the Red Cross and the airlines respond to a major aviation incident.

Federal Aviation Administration:
Various branches of the FAA have responsibilities in an aircraft emergency. The FAA operates the control tower at Gerald R. Ford International Airport and would control air traffic during an emergency to permit rescue equipment to proceed to the accident site. Once the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower initiates an alert at the airport, the Airport Operations division assumes control of the airfield until the emergency has concluded.

Airline/Aircraft Operator:
The involved airline/aircraft operator is responsible for providing information regarding passengers aboard the aircraft and any detailed information about the flight, crew, and the aircraft.

GFIAA Police Unit:
The GFIAA Police unit is responsible for establishing and maintaining a security line at the incident site and ingress/egress points, and patrolling the airfield.

GFIAA Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Unit (ARFF):
The Airport Authority ARFF unit is responsible for firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical response.

Federal Bureau of Investigation:
The FBI has jurisdiction if a hijacking or hostage-taking incident occurs aboard an aircraft that is still on the ground. If the aircraft is in flight, the TSA has jurisdiction. 

Transportation Security Administration:
The FBI has jurisdiction in the event of an act of terrorism aboard an aircraft on the ground. If the aircraft is in flight, the TSA has jurisdiction.

Off-Airport Aviation Emergencies
In the event an aircraft accident occurs outside the airport boundaries, airport officials will assist and cooperate as much as possible. However, the municipality in charge will have jurisdiction over the accident area. In this case, the primary media contact is the aircraft owner and the information officer with jurisdiction over the accident area.