Media Guide

National Transportation Safety Board
Office of Media Relations
Phone: (202) 314-6100

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department
Phone: (618) 277-3505
Email: [email protected]

Scott Air Force Base
Public Affairs Office
Phone: (618) 256-4241
Email: [email protected]

Federal Aviation Administration
Email: [email protected]

Transportation Security Administration
Email: [email protected]

Allegiant Airlines
Media Relations Office
Phone: (702) 800-2020 
Email: [email protected]

• Air traffic control is provided by the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and ground direction of aircraft is handled by the USAF. Radar monitoring of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport is handled directly by the FAA.
• Pilot operations, aircraft configurations, aircraft service histories, passenger manifests, and flight or ground crew operations are handled directly by the respective commercial airline or charter organization.
• Passenger screening procedures, screening equipment, screening staff, and baggage and carry-on inspections are handled directly by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
• Aircraft emergencies which result in aircraft damage, loss or injury of passengers, or certain hostage or hijacking situations are the direct responsibility of the TSA, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) the FAA or the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
  • NTSB releases all information related to the investigation of an accident and will determine the cause and any contributing factors.
  • The coroner, medical examiner or other designated law enforcement officer makes initial confirmation of any deaths resulting from an accident.
  • The airport media relations contact, Airport Director Darren James, will refer media requests to the appropriate agencies.

In the event of a major incident at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, Airport Director Darren James will be responsible for coordinating media access and staging. James or his designee will also notify the press of any scheduled press briefings as soon as available facts and collaborative agencies are prepared. In most situations, many organizations will be involved in such a briefing including: the commercial airline, NTSB, FAA, FBI, TSA and local, regional, and state law enforcement agencies. Because of the many involved agencies, information may not be immediately available.

The location for any news conferences will be determined in relationship to the incident, and airport staff will direct media upon arrival. The airport may require that media be escorted while onsite.

Media access to the airfield may/may not be provided depending on the nature of the event.

If an emergency situation occurs at BLV, the airport may experience a high volume of media inquiries. To ensure you receive the most accurate and timely information:

• E-mail a request to be added to the media relations distribution list to [email protected]
• Follow the airport’s Twitter account: @BLVairport
• If the need for a media briefing arises, the airport will share information about the time and location via news release issued to local media. The information will also be posted on Twitter at @BLVairport and on the Media Center on the airport’s website at https://flymidamerica.com/business/media-center/
• During emergencies, media calls will be returned as time permits.

Note: The Airport Director will defer all media requests to the appropriate agencies.

General Airport Facilities

• Members of the media are welcome in public areas that include the terminal lobbies and hallways at BLV, as well as the parking lots and any designated aircraft observation areas. Media must not block any access to security screening areas at BLV, and no photos or videos of the security screening areas are allowed.
• Media representatives are required to display press identification and identify themselves to anyone they interview, photograph, or film.
• Media covering stories on airport property must visibly display media credentials at all times.
• Media will not be allowed to interfere with the pedestrian or vehicle flow of the public or with airline, airport, tenant and concessionaire operations. While the airport recognizes the importance of interviewing passengers, our first responsibility is to the passengers and families and their right to privacy. If any individuals are reluctant to be interviewed or photographed, the airport will support their decision and asks that the media respect their privacy.
• Members of the media who are covering stories at BLV are requested to contact us as a courtesy prior to arrival. Please notify us via e-mail at [email protected]

Parking of News Vehicles

• Media vehicles are expected to park in public parking lot (parking is FREE for the first 3 hours). Exceptions can be made for live trucks, which may park on the curb located at the south end of the terminal, under the following conditions:
  • Trucks must be attended at all times. Unattended trucks are subject to immediate ticketing and towing.
  • Repeated violations of unattended satellite trucks on the terminal curbs may result in the revocation of curbside parking privileges for that media outlet.
• MidAmerica St. Louis Airport’s Cell Phone Lot is an alternative media coverage area for media outlets not able to attend a live truck.
• It is in the media outlet’s best interest to use vehicles with company identification while covering news at the airport.

Permission related to filming/commercial filming

• Any requests to film at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport should be made to Airport Director Darren James via email at [email protected]. TSA security measures will also be enforced.
• Filming is permitted in the lobby area, as long as it does not hinder the passenger processing or security process. Filming of the security screening checkpoints is not permitted.

Updates and inquiries about how weather may impact flights will be handled directly by the airline(s) operating at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, currently Allegiant

• For the most up-to-date flight and airline information, please visit Allegiant’s website allegiantair.com
• Flight delays, cancellations, and re-routes are coordinated between the FAA and air traffic control. Any inquiries about impacted flights should be directed to individual airlines.