Media Protocols

Per City of Charlote Policy, the Chief Executive Officer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, or an appointed designee, serves as the Airport’s official spokesperson. All interview requests with Aviation Department staff must be coordinated through the Office of Strategic Communications. To schedule interviews, email media@cltairport.com or call the media hotline at 704.359.4933. Email inquiries will receive a faster response. Please submit non-emergency requests at least 24 hours in advance.

For events at CLT involving airlines, federal partners or other businesses, media inquiries should be directed to the respective media relations representative. Questions regarding how an event affects Airport operations should be directed to the Airport’s Office of Strategic Communications via email.

The Office of Strategic Communications issues press releases to announce service changes, Airport construction updates, traveler advisories during severe weather or peak travel periods, and other timely information. Releases are distributed to local and national media outlets, aviation publications, and other industry channels. They are also posted on cltairport.com/news and shared across CLT’s social media platforms. Please advise Strategic Communications if you would like to be placed on the contact list or if your contact information changes.

Accredited news media is allowed access to public areas of the terminal. The public areas are the Departures/Ticketing lobby (upper level) and the Arrivals/Baggage lobby (lower level). For security purposes, access beyond screening checkpoints is prohibited without prior approval from the Office of Strategic Communications. Media should avoid setting up in throughput areas or any location that could interfere with passenger flow.

Media Parking Map

Accredited media representatives on assignment at CLT may park official news vehicles in designated spaces located in the surface lot between the Hourly and Daily Parking Decks.

To Enter:

• To access the media parking location, follow the signage for the Hourly/Daily deck entrance. Veer slightly to the left of the entrance and stop at the gate arm denoting “Bus Entrance Only.”
• Call 704.359.4038 to reach Parking.
• Alert the parking attendant that you are a member of the media and you wish to park in the Media Lot. Once you clear the gate, make the first right and then veer left at the Yield sign located directly in front of the Hourly Deck.
• Next, immediately take the first left into the open surface lot.
• Signs are in place marking designated media parking area.

To Exit:

• Take a left turn out of the Media Lot and another left.
• Take the first right and proceed straight ahead to the gate arm.
• Call 704.359.4038, identify yourself, and alert a parking attendant that you wish to exit.

Media vehicles must display clear organizational signage. If your vehicle is not officially marked, please place a printed sign on the dashboard identifying your media organization.

• Enter the Hourly Deck from the north side.
• Take the elevator or stairs to Level 5 and walk toward the terminal.
• Continue to the terminal using the overhead walkways.

Personnel may be picked up and dropped off at the terminal's curbside.

• While filming and conducting interviews at CLT, all media representatives are required to display media identification or news credentials.
• Crews should not block passenger or vehicular traffic. Additionally, cameras cannot be staged in airline operational areas.
• Filming is permitted in the terminal lobby. However, cameras and crews are not to impede passenger throughput in public areas, including doorways and movement areas.
• Cameras and crews cannot be staged at counters or in a line of customers waiting for service.
• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for operating CLT's security screening checkpoints. Filming at screening checkpoints is limited to the public areas prior to the checkpoints. TSA policy states that security monitors cannot be filmed.
• Media access to areas leased by Airport tenants, including airlines and businesses, is at the discretion of the tenant.

Commercial Filming

Commercial filming requires permission from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Please visit the Filming at CLT page for information.

Emergencies are a routine part of airport operations, and CLT is fully prepared to respond quickly and effectively to ensure the safety of passengers, employees and facilities.

Alert 1: Minor Difficulty – Indicates a potential emergency that may require dispatch of emergency equipment later.

Alert 2: Major Difficulty – Indicates that a potential emergency exists requiring immediate dispatch of emergency equipment on stand-by positions on the airfield.

Alert 3: Accident – Indicates that an accident is imminent or has occurred, requiring immediate dispatch of emergency equipment to the scene.

Emergency Response Communications

The Office of Strategic Communications will disseminate pertinent information to the media in the event of an emergency. Please be advised information may not be shared immediately and will only be distributed once it is confirmed. Media will be notified of any briefings through advisories, social media (@CLTAirport) and cltairport.com.

The Chief Executive Officer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, or an appointed designee, will provide basic information at the appropriate time. Depending on the nature of the emergency, CLT will defer to its partners for the distribution of specific information.

Office of Strategic Communications Responsibilities

It is recommended you first contact the CLT Office of Strategic Communications through the email address or media line (media@cltairport.com or 704.359.4933 ). Email inquiries will receive a faster response.

In the case of an aircraft incident, various agencies will take lead on the distribution of information. Below is the list of agencies responsible for the release of accurate information:

• Incident Confirmation: Aviation Department Office of Strategic Communications
• Cause: National Transportation Safety Board
• Passenger information: Airline
• Baggage and Screening: Transportation Security Administration
• Air Traffic: Federal Aviation Administration
• Law Enforcement: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Other agencies that may be involved include U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.