​​​​​Broward County Aviation Department’s (BCAD) Public Information Office is committed to serving the needs of travelers and the media. BCAD owns and operates the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and North Perry Airport (HWO). The purpose of BCAD’s Media Guide is to provide the media with information and assistance from the BCAD and the tenants of FLL and HWO. ​

Public Information Office
Broward County Aviation Department
320 Terminal Drive, Suite 200 (Terminal 4) 

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Phone:​954-359-6116
Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.   

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 News Media Access

In the event of an accident on the airfield, do not attempt to gain access on foot or in a vehicle to the restricted areas of the Airport. You could be in the way of arriving or departing aircraft if you are on or near the runways/taxiways. This is very serious business. You could be killed or cause the death of others.

 

The second consideration is that the restricted areas are off-limits to all but authorized personnel. This measure has been taken to ensure a secure airfield environment. Unauthorized access to the airfield is not permitted and will result in your arrest.  

 

Media members are welcome in public areas that include but are not limited to terminal lobbies and hallways before the entrances of security screening areas at FLL. Public areas include parking lots, garages, and designated aircraft observation areas. 

 

Photography and videotaping of the security checkpoints at the entrance to each concourse are prohibited. These security screening areas, the equipment, screening procedures, and personnel may not be photographed according to Airport security policy. 

 

The media should contact the Public Information Office for assistance before arriving at FLL to film news stories, take still photos, or conduct interviews. The Media must contact the PIO in advance if they want to park a live truck at the curb in the Staging Area.

Live Truck Parking 
Live trucks (or news crew vehicles) can park at the designated Media Staging Area on the airport's Departures Level (upper level) roadway between Terminals 1 and 2 with certain conditions and requirements, such as displaying press/media identification and ensuring that vehicles aren't left unattended at the curb. If a crew does not follow procedures, their vehicle will be ticketed or towed, and the station will be prohibited from returning to the curb area of the airport for six months. Alternatively, news crews not traveling in a live truck vehicle should park in the nearest garage and walk over to the terminal for any live shots or interviews. 

  

Requirements
The crew or assignment manager must call the Public Information Officer (PIO) in advance to secure a spot at the curb between Terminals 1 and 2. The PIO will make arrangements for the crew and identify the exact location. See below for more requirements.

 

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 terminals, concourse entrances, or exits. The media must not interfere with airport or airline operations when conducting interviews. 

You can view aircraft arrivals and departures from three different locations:

 

1. The top of the Hibiscus Garage provides a birds-eye view of the entire airfield.

 

2. Ron Gardner Aircraft Observation Area is located near the southwest corner of Perimeter Road on Southwest 39th Street. It is the perfect location to watch aircraft taking off and landing from the north runway. Solar-powered speakers broadcast the radio transmissions between the tower and the aircraft and lend an element of realism to the experience.

 

3. The Green Belt combines noise mitigation with environmental stewardship in a park setting. It is a 30-acre landscaped earthen berm that marks the airport's southern boundary.  

Media Inquiries

All requests for interviews with BCAD representatives should be made to the Public Information Officer at 954-359-6116, who will provide the appropriate spokesperson to address the particular topic of the interview.  

Aircraft Emergencies

Any realistic study of an airport must deal with the possibility of an airport emergency. 
 

Should an emergency occur at either FLL or HWO, this is how we plan to do our part. First of all, let's arrive at some mutual ground rules. 

 

These ground rules, we hope, will be clear and reasonable. Because no two situations are the same, they are also flexible. When situations demand, the rules governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be applied on a case-by-case basis.  

 

Your job is to get the facts, whether written, taped, or filmed. Our job is to help you get those facts as quickly as possible without interfering with the rescue operation or hampering the post-crash investigation.

In an aircraft emergency at either of the airports, the First Priority Goes To The Safety Of Those Involved In The Accident.

 

Once all passengers, crew, and other possible victims on the ground have been evacuated, Firefighting Operations assume top priority.

 

When the immediate threat of fire is over, the top priority shifts to the Official Investigation by the proper governmental agency.

 

As a general rule, the senior Fire Rescue officer present will be in full command of all operations at the scene.

 

Depending on the circumstances, the responsibility of the crash scene will most probably be relinquished to the NTSB and later to the aircraft owner.  

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 The FAA and the Broward County Aviation Department classify aircraft emergencies and responses into two categories:  

Alert 2

An aircraft is potentially experiencing a significant problem (such as faulty landing gear or hydraulic failure). Broward Sheriff's Office Aircraft Rescue Firefighters (ARFF) vehicles move into position and standby on the airfield. Emergency Management Service (EMS) and mutual aid units standby as needed.

 

Alert 3

An aircraft has crashed on or adjacent to the Airport. The ARFF teams, mutual aid from surrounding communities, and BCAD staff will respond as the incident warrants.

 

Note: Most incidents are not as serious as they first appear or sound on the radio, and most end uneventfully. Many problems result from a faulty warning indicator light, not a real problem. But at both Airports, our rescue crews prepare for the worst and will always respond accordingly.  

 

Requirements
The crew or assignment manager must call the Public Information Officer (PIO) in advance to secure a spot at the curb between Terminals 1 and 2 (closer to Terminal 2). The PIO will make arrangements for the crew and identify the exact location. 

 

The truck operator must remain with the vehicle at all times. If Security identifies an unattended live truck, the station will lose its privilege to park in this area. All news and personal support vehicles will be required to park in the garages.

 

The vehicle may be angle parked at the curb (see photo) if the crew plans to extend the truck's mast. This allows more news trucks in the area and should help them clear any obstacles above their truck. The metal structure and cables from our old canopies are still in place.  

 

This location is on a trial basis and can be changed at any time based on the operational necessities of the airport. This will take some coordination and cooperation by news crews and airport personnel. Please remember that the truck operator may be asked to move if the Aviation Department or our law enforcement partners, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, determines the truck is impacting the safe and normal operations of the airport. 

North Perry Airport

At North Perry Airport, the Media Center is located at the airport manager's office at 101 S.W. 77 Way, Pembroke Pines, FL 33023. Contact number 954-359-1016. See a map for the North Perry Airport Media Center.    

 

For more information about flight delays, go to the FAA’s Flight Delay Information from the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp) or FLL’s website and search Arrivals and Departures.
 
Adverse weather conditions could affect airport operations due to airfield conditions, visibility, or other reasons. FLL does not close during most inclement weather conditions. At times, there may be an interruption in operations in order to clear the runways or aircraft ramps.

Factors that impact decisions to have a flight delayed, canceled, or re-routed to other airports: