Rules and Policies
Media FAQs
No. For security reasons, media are required to call ahead and get permission, or "clearance," from HAS Media Relations, prior to going to any of the airports to take photos, record video or sound, or get interviews.
Media should contact HAS Media Relations at least 30 minutes before their arrival for any coverage other than "spot news." Also, the impromptu nature of "spot news" does not mean that the procedures for getting proper clearance are waived - they must still be followed.
To get clearance, media should call 1-281-233-1234. Normally, during business hours, there will be someone available to answer at that number. If there is no answer, please leave a detailed message, and the HAS Media Relations Group will respond to that page promptly.
The objective is to determine who is coming, where they are going, how long they will be there and their purpose for visiting the airports. HAS Media Relations will notify the appropriate personnel with that information. This benefits the media, because proper clearance enables them to do their job undeterred in a secure airport environment.
No. Clearance is not granted until the request is acknowledged and confirmed by an HAS Media Relations representative.
They are subject to removal by police or security personnel.
Sometimes. Each visit will be evaluated individually, and HAS Media Relations will determine if one of its members, or another airport employee, needs to escort the visiting media. For some media visits, escort will not be required. If media prefer an escort so that it is easier for them to find the area they want to visit, HAS Media Relations will do its best to accommodate them.
No. The federal security guidelines in force since 9/11/01 allow only for "active loading and unloading" by airport visitors, and only authorized government and security vehicles may be parked at the dropoff and pickup curbs - and those vehicles must remain in specially marked areas. Media must use the on-airport parking garages. Any vehicle left in an unathorized area is subject to immediate removal.
Media may only go beyond the TSA checkpoint if invited to do so by an airline, the TSA or the HAS. Otherwise, only ticketed passengers may go beyond the checkpoint into the gate areas.
If someone in the media is a ticketed passenger and goes beyond the checkpoint intending to shoot photos, record video or sound, or get interviews, he/she must still follow the aforementioned procedures to get clearance.
First and most important, the same rules for securing clearance for media visits to the airport apply to live shots. If proper clearance has not been given, unauthorized media are subject to removal, even if they are in the middle of their live shot.
Each airport has a designated area for live shots. To get clearance, media should call 1-281-233-1234.
If there is a valid reason for media to request a different live shot location, that request will be considered. For example, if media are reporting on the use the Cell Phone Lot at Bush Intercontinental, arrangements could be made to set up a live shot from the Cell Phone Lot.
However, media should understand that a change in live shot location will be the rare exception rather than the rule. Also, safety and security of aircraft and passengers will always have the highest priority. If a TV station is seeking a special arrangement, they need to get such a request in at the earliest possible time to have the best chance to be accommodated.
The designated live shot locations for Bush Intercontinental and Hobby are shown here. Ellington Field does not have a designated location. Live shots at Ellington will be staged depending on media and airport requirements.
All vehicles and personnel must be a minimum of 10 feet away from any perimeter fencing. Violators of this distance requirement are subject to removal.
To get clearance, media should call 1-281-233-1234.
Video Policy
Media who may film or videotape at the airports free of charge Television news media, including those representing network affiliate stations, syndicated news magazine programs and major broadcast networks may record using film or videotape at any of the Houston Airport System's (HAS's) municipal airports, free, for regularly-scheduled news programs and round-the-clock news channels. These privileges continue for media outlets and the individuals who represent them provided they comply with the procedures for clearance set forth by the HAS. For details, review the Media FAQs.
Production companies and other entities which produce non-news television programming including but not limited to "reality TV' shows, movies, commercials, training films, in-flight movie promotional spots, public service announcements, announcements, etc. must enter into a License Agreement with the Houston Airport System to film or videotape at any one of Houston's three municipal airports.
The aforementioned "other entities," or potential licensees for an arrangement to film or videotape at HAS facilities, include but are not limited to universities or other educational institutions, public or private, that have TV production departments, facilities or equipment; airlines, rental car agencies, fixed base operators and the advertising agencies who represent them; and nonprofit organizations.
Before the License Agreement can be signed and considered valid, proof of liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 must be provided to the Houston Airport System in writing. A certificate of the insurance coverage's limits must be attached to the application for a license agreement; otherwise the License Agreement application is considered null and void.
The License Agreement must specify the type of production that will be videotaped or filmed, the areas of the airport(s) that will be involved and/or included in the filming and/or taping, the airlines that will be involved and/or included in the production, and the start and end date of the proposed production.
Before the Houston Airport System enters into any License Agreement with any party, the airport system will require a copy of the entire script that will be used for the production or an executive-generated summary of its content. The Houston Airport System reserves the right to refuse to enter into any License Agreement with any party for any reason if it considers the proposed production to not be in the best interests of the Houston Airport System and/or the government of the City of Houston.
Duplicate, signed and dated originals of the License Agreement, reproduced by hard copy by e-mail, will each be of equal force and effect as the original License Agreement.
The Houston Airport System reserves the right to prohibit access to any portion of airport property at its discretion, and will not grant access to any part of the facility or property which does not meet with the approval of the Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its member agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and any governmental or law enforcement agency with jurisdiction.
The licensee must also pay for expenses incurred by the Houston Airport System during the filming and/or videotaping of their production, including but not limited to personnel who help coordinate the filming or videotaping, police officers or airport security officers (ASOs) who protect property and ensure compliance with federal security regulations, electricians, building services (maintenance) employees, operations staff and other personnel whose assistance is deemed necessary by the Houston Airport System.
An invoice detailing the expenses incurred by the Houston Airport System during the filming and/or videotaping of the production will be issued no later than fifteen (15) days after the conclusion of the production. The payment of those expenses is due no later than fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the invoice.
If weather or other conditions prevent filming or videotaping as scheduled, such dates will be rescheduled at no additional charge at a time mutually convenient to the HAS and the licensee.