Media Guide
Request for Information
If you would like to request information under the Alabama Open Records Act, please complete the required form. Once the completed form has been submitted, the Birmingham Airport Authority staff will review the request and respond in a reasonable amount of time.
Media Inquiries
The Birmingham Airport Authority (BAA) strives to provide as much assistance as possible to news media personnel regarding airport news, updates, and information to the public in both emergency and non-emergency situations, without compromising safe and orderly airport operations.
All media inquiries should be directed to the Communications Division at the Birmingham Airport Authority. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Media Contact:
Birmingham Airport Authority
Communications Division
(205) 510-6676
pr@flybirmingham.com
In the event that the airport spokesperson is not available to field a telephone inquiry, the journalist’s name, media organization, phone number and deadline (if any) will be noted and conveyed as soon as possible and with the proper sense of urgency.
The Communications division will make every attempt to notify the media in advance of airport-related news, including but not limited to, news conferences, groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings, public hearings, new air service, etc. Notification will be made via email or news release. Other important information may be found here on the airport’s website, via the Airport’s official twitter account @bhmairport, or other social media channels. To receive a copy of news releases directly by email, contact the Communications Division to be placed on the news release distribution list.
BAA will respond to information requests and media inquiries within its capacity to do so. All requests and inquiries will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Taking Photos and Videos in the Airport
For members of the media planning to take photos or video, stage live shots or conduct interviews at the airport, requests should be made to the Communication Division at (205) 599-0514 or (205) 510-6676. If no one is available in the office (such as after hours), please contact Airport Operations at (205) 599-0519. All working media must display valid credentials while on airport property.
All requests to film for commercial purposes must be first approved. A written request for commercial photography, videography, or filming must be submitted a minimum of two weeks in advance of requested dates. Some reviews and approvals may take longer than two weeks. Written requests may be emailed to info@flybirmingham.com.
Media Parking
Media parking is available on the upper roadway (departures level) near door 1U. In order to utilize media parking, all media vehicles must be commercially registered, insured, and the news logo must be visible.
Media Contacts – Federal Agencies and Airlines
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for air traffic control at BHM. Inquiries about delays in the air traffic system or aircraft operations should be directed to the FAA Southern Region Public Affairs Office.
Public Affairs Contact: Maria Njoku
Phone: (404) 305-5100
After Hours: Operations Center (202) 267-3333
TSA
The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for airport security screening of passengers and baggage and other security functions in addition to protecting the nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.
For media inquiries during regular business hours, please call (571) 227-2829 or email TSA Public Affairs. Hours of operation are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Public Affairs Contact: Sari Koshetz
Phone: (305) 432-0076
After Hours: (877) 632-7327
Airlines
Individual airlines are responsible for providing information relating to that particular airline: flight schedules, baggage issues, weather delays, passengers aboard the aircraft and any detailed information about the aircraft.
American Airlines
(817)-967-1577 or (817)-931-1348
Email: mediarelations@aa.com
Delta Air Lines
(404) 715.2554
Email: media@delta.com
Southwest Airlines
(214) 792-4847, Opt. 1
Email: swamedia@wnco.com
United
(872) 825-8640
Email: media.relations@united.com
Emergencies at the Airport
It is the policy of the Birmingham Airport Authority to provide assistance to the news media as much as possible during the coverage of an emergency or other unusual event at the Airport. Please keep in mind that the early minutes of an emergency situation are spent responding to the emergency. It will not be possible to provide answers to questions during the initial phase of an incident or investigation. During an airport emergency, the Birmingham Airport Authority will only be able to update the media on airport related operations.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) leads the investigation for aircraft accidents and the release of any information relative to that investigation. Other federal agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may be involved. The airlines will be responsible for informing the media about the status of their passengers, their planes or their flight operations. Birmingham Fire and Rescue handles fire and rescue operations while Birmingham Police handles investigations for criminal activities and traffic accidents that may occur on airport property.
Depending on the scale or circumstances of the incident, a summary of the emergency and response may be provided through a news release statement. Should media briefings and news conferences be required, the media will be advised by email of the briefing time and location.