Media Guide for Reporters

All requests for interviews with RIAC representatives should go through Public Affairs.

For specific media questions, please contact the RIAC Public Affairs Office at [email protected].

After business hours and on weekends and holidays, please call the police dispatch at (401) 691-2000 x 247. Messages will be forwarded to the appropriate staff to respond to the call.

Media personnel will park all vehicles in Lot D in front of the terminal. Television trucks providing a live shot or satellite feed may park in the delivery court, which can be accessed through Airport Road. Prior permission is required from the Public Affairs department, which coordinates with the RIAC police. No parking is permitted on airport roadways. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

• Although the airport is a public building, access to the terminal should be coordinated through Public Affairs for security reasons, unless otherwise authorized by TSA or an airport tenant.
• When filming at the airport, taking still photos or conducting interviews, all media should contact the RIAC Public Affairs office at (401) 602-1861 for assistance prior to arriving. Media representatives are required to display press identification and identify themselves to anyone they interview, photograph or film.
• The media should not block or restrict movement anywhere in the terminal and entrances and exits should not be obstructed. When conducting interviews, the media must not interfere with airport or airline operations.
• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not prohibit photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or sensitive information is not revealed.
• RIAC reserves the right to restrict media activity at any location on airport premises, if public security, safety, or operational concerns so warrant.

Airlines, FAA air traffic controllers and pilots determine the delay, cancellation or re-routing of flights. Inquiries about the number of impacted flights and passengers should be directed to individual airlines.

Adverse weather conditions could affect airport operations due to airfield conditions, visibility or other reasons. Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport does not close during most inclement weather conditions. At times, there may be an interruption in operations in order to clear snow and ice from the runways or ramps. Atmospheric conditions, navigational equipment, aircraft equipment, pilot qualifications, aircraft de-icing, ground movement and terminal gate availability all impact decisions to have flights delayed, canceled or re-routed to other airports. Some airlines or the FAA may delay arrivals or departures until visibility and conditions improve.

Only during severe weather would the runways close for any extended period of time. Flights may be delayed or canceled due to weather at the flight destination or in other cities. The terminal would remain open unless damaged or other safety concerns warrant closing all or part of the terminal.

Certain accommodations for escorted access to secure areas may be available for vetted media during special events or VIP arrivals.

In such instances, the Public Information Officer will provide direction to media outlets and/or arrange escorts to designated areas. Any escorted vehicles on the airfield are subject to be stopped and searched. Media vehicles are not allowed to run cables or electricity into any RIAC facility.

Only ticketed passengers may proceed through the security checkpoint. The media is welcome in public areas, including terminal lobbies, public concession areas and hallways prior to the entrances of security screening areas. Public areas also include parking lots, garages, roadways and designated aircraft observation areas. Should a tenant invite media to cover a story beyond the checkpoint, prior coordination with the RIAC police and the TSA is required.

It is the policy of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to cooperate with the news media to the greatest extent possible. RIAC’s primary responsibility is to conduct safe and secure airport operations. During emergency situations at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport or the state’s GA airports, RIAC staff will respond to the media as quickly as information becomes available. 

RIAC’s Twitter feed at @IFlyRhodeIsland can be expected to have initial updates.

The cause of an aircraft crash or incident is released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the airline involved after an investigation has been conducted. Until then, no agency will speculate about the cause of the incident.

RIAC’s spokesperson, as well as the President and CEO and/or Sr. VP of Operations and Maintenance, may conduct briefings as the situation warrants. If an aircraft accident is involved, the NTSB investigating team will handle the investigation and the release of any information relative to that incident. In circumstances where only property damage occurs, the FAA may conduct the investigation. Access to passengers may be subject to approval by the airline involved, the FAA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the NTSB.

If the situation warrants, RIAC will announce the creation and location of a Joint Information Center to provide the media with initial updates while ensuring there is no disruption to emergency response. Subsequent briefings will occur with representatives from the airlines, RIAC and other agencies.

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation Airport Operations Department assumes operational control of the airport during aircraft emergency situations.

Airline(s)
The involved airline is responsible for providing information regarding passengers aboard the aircraft and any detailed information about the flight, crew and the aircraft. Airline links are available here.

RIAC Police
The RIAC Police Department is often the first responder and is responsible for maintaining a security line at the incident site and patrolling the airfield. Additionally, the Rhode Island State Police may provide assistance with criminal investigations.

RIAC Fire Department – Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department (ARFF)
The ARFF Unit is responsible for airfield incidents and aircraft fire fighting. ARFF is also a first responder to emergency medical incidents at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Various branches of the FAA have responsibilities in an aircraft emergency. The FAA operates the aircraft control towers at the Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport and would control the air traffic during an emergency to permit rescue equipment to proceed to the accident site.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are the federal agencies that investigate an emergency situation. They also take custody of the aircraft and its contents from the time fire and rescue activities are concluded until a full investigation is completed or a report is written. Upon the arrival of the NTSB investigating team, RIAC Public Affairs staff may assume a support role to the NTSB or the FAA at their request. The NTSB also operates a Family Assistance program, Joint Family Support Operations Center, intended to provide for the family members of those involved in an aircraft incident.

RIAC Aeronautical Inspectors
Aeronautics Inspectors are responsible for inspecting all aviation facilities within the state of Rhode Island as well as enforcing the Rhode Island Uniform Aeronautical Regulatory Act. Further information on Rhode Island Aviation Regulations can be found here.
RIAC Aeronautics Inspectors respond to and investigate all aviation mishaps within the state and have diverse responsibilities during aircraft accidents.

The Public Affairs Department does not provide details regarding a criminal investigation at the airport. Media inquiries will be coordinated through Public Affairs and the RIAC Police Department.

Requests to film at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport or the state’s GA airports should be made to the RIAC Public Affairs Office. Media interested in filming passengers, aircraft or equipment of a particular airline must receive approval from RIAC Public Affairs and that airline’s corporate or local contact. RIAC will assist the media in contacting the airlines. TSA’s security measures are always enforced. Requests for commercial or nonprofit filming should be directed to Public Affairs at (401) 691-2204.

This website can be used as a source for current and historical information, construction projects, master plan, EIS, press releases, flight information (updated by the airlines), ground transportation services and more.

The areas that are leased by the airlines and other tenants, including ticket counters, gate areas/waiting areas, airline clubs, private offices, stores and restaurants, are under the control of those parties. Media access to those areas must be approved by the appropriate business.

Airfield access is strictly controlled. Requests for filming in the aircraft operation areas and near the aprons 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 that manpower, operational considerations and safety permit. In the event of an emergency situation or other events that require the full attention of the Airport Operations staff, a prearranged escort may be canceled.