Media Guide
Facts and Figures
For a quick guide to TPA facts and figures, view the Airport Fact Sheet.
For information on airline activity, market share, and budget reports, view the Facts, Stats and Financials.
View the 2016 Annual Report.
Media Parking
Media representatives on assignment at the Airport can park in the Short Term Parking Garage at no cost. Have your parking ticket validated by a Guest Services Representative at the information desk on Level 3 of the Main Terminal or at the front desk of the Aviation Authority located on Level 3 of the Main Terminal near the entrance to the Airside F shuttle. Larger vehicles may need to park in the Long Term Parking Garage. To view garage clearances, visit our Parking section.
Emergencies
If there is an emergency at Tampa International Airport or one of the three general aviation airports, Airport Communications personnel will provide updates to the media and the public through its official Twitter account @FlyTPA. If the emergency occurs at Tampa International, briefings will be in the Aviation Authority Board Room, located on Level 3 of the Main Terminal.
The ninth level of the Short Term Parking Garage offers an excellent vantage point of all movement areas at Tampa International Airport. This location is recommended for media representatives desiring to film airfield accidents or incidents. The news media will have the same access as extended to the general public. The media will not be allowed to interfere with the pedestrian or vehicle flow of the general public or with airline, airport, tenant and concessionaire operations.
During an aircraft accident, access to passengers and their families may be restricted.
Agencies Involved in Emergency Situations
Tampa International Airport Operations DepartmentThe Operations Department assumes operational control of the Airport during aircraft emergency situations.
Tampa International Airport Police DepartmentThe Airport Police Department is responsible for establishing and maintaining a security line at the incident site and ingress/egress points. The law enforcement officers will also maintain patrol of the airfield area.
Tampa International Airport Aircraft Rescue and FireFighting (ARFF)The Airport ARFF crews (Tampa Fire Rescue) are responsible for firefighting and emergency medical rescue operations at TPA as well as water rescue.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)The NTSB and the FAA are the federal agencies that investigate aircraft accidents. They also take custody of the aircraft and its contents from the time fire rescue activities are concluded until a full investigation is completed, or a release is given. Upon the arrival of the NTSB investigating team, the Aviation Authority's communications staff will a support role to the NTSB or the FAA at their request.
Involved AirlineThe involved airline is responsible for providing information regarding passengers aboard the aircraft and any detailed information about the flight, flight activities and the aircraft. The passenger list will not become public until families have been notified.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)The TSA has jurisdiction over hijacked aircraft while in flight. “In flight” is defined as the point that the doors are closed for normal operations to the point the doors are open for normal disembarkation. As a result, a plane can be on the ground and still be considered in flight. The TSA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will work very closely in this type of incident. The Federal Security Director (FSD) is the local authority and will command all resources necessary to manage a hijacking incident, including directing local law enforcement until the FBI is on site and incident command shifts for interdiction.
Emergency Categories
Alert 1 (precautionary landing/take off)Tampa Tower personnel will normally advise Tampa Fire Rescue that a potential emergency exists that may require dispatch of emergency equipment at a later time. Emergency equipment will usually be on stand-by in quarters.
Alert 2 (potential emergency)Tampa Tower personnel advise Tampa Fire Rescue that a potential emergency exists requiring immediate dispatch of emergency equipment to appropriate standby positions on the Airport.
Alert 3 (accident)Tampa Tower personnel will advise Tampa Fire Rescue that an accident has occurred or is imminent requiring immediate dispatch of emergency equipment to the scene of the emergency to commence fire fighting and/or rescue operations.