Introduction to the MSO Media Guide

As western Montana’s premier aviation gateway, Missoula International Airport (MSO) generates considerable media attention. To assist media representatives, we have designed this guide to help local, state, and national news agencies navigate through the airport easily, and to assist the media as much as possible without compromising the safety and efficiency of daily airport operations.

MSO welcomes media coverage and therefore provides as much media access to the airport as is possible within the parameters of the airport’s security restrictions, which are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

When coming to the airport for non-emergency purposes, please contact us 406-728-4381 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (MST).  After 5:00 p.m., please call the Airport answering service 406-728-4381 and the operator will forward your request to the appropriate personnel. When media coverage involves a specific airline, please contact that airline directly.

Missoula International Airport
5225 Highway 10 West
Missoula, Montana 59808
Website: www.flymissoula.com
Airport Information: (406) 728-4381
Email us for more information: Click Here
Directions to the Airport: Click Here

Opened in 1941, the Missoula County Airport boasted the longest runways in the region with plenty of room for future growth. A new passenger terminal was constructed in 1954, and in 1961, the new control tower began providing air traffic control services to aircraft flying in and out of the Missoula valley.

In honor of two of Missoula's most well known aviation pioneers, Bob Johnson, and Harry Bell, the Missoula County Airport was officially named Johnson-Bell Field on a warm Memorial Day afternoon in 1968. The name was again later changed to Missoula International Airport.

The main passenger terminal was renovated and doubled in size in 1994, and in 1998, the Airway Boulevard interchange was completed, providing a direct link from Interstate 90 to the airport. In 2006, the Airport began a new terminal expansion project, and will soon begin the construction of a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower to replace the existing 45 year old facility.

MSO averages several hundred operations a day from airlines, corporate, general aviation and aerial fire fighting aircraft, cargo flights, and Missoula’s two medical helicopters, Care Flight from Community Medical Center, and Life Flight, based at St. Patrick's Hospital and Health Sciences Center. MSO is the home to the largest aerial fire fighting depot in the United States, as well as the Museum of Mountain Flying, located east of the main terminal on Aviation Way.

For media reports or news articles, the Airport is generally referred to as Missoula International Airport, or simply "MSO", which refers to the Airport's three letter identifier. The Airport can also be referred to as Johnson-Bell Field.

The Airport is no longer referred to as the Missoula County Airport, however when referring to the Airport administrative staff, governing body, or Board, the proper title is the Missoula County Airport Authority.

All requests for interviews with MCAA representatives should be made to the Airport Administration Office, who will provide the appropriate spokesperson to address the particular topic of the interview.

Media Parking
MSO may provide gratis parking for media while they are covering airport-sponsored events, such as news conferences, airline inaugurals, etc., or during critical incidents. Media may park in any lot, and MSO staff will ensure that media parking tickets are validated. At all other times, media are expected to pay regular parking fees.

Microwave and satellite television trucks providing a live shot or satellite feed may park in the designated media parking location. All vehicles must be attended at all times on airport roadways. Unattended vehicles may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

If there is a serious incident or emergency, MSO will designate a staging area for media parking. Please call Airport Administration for the location of the staging area.

Media Access to Public Areas at MSO
The media is welcome in public areas including terminal lobbies, concession areas and hallways prior to the entrances of security screening areas. Public areas also include parking lots, roadways and designated aircraft observation areas. Tenant areas (shops, restaurants, airline gate areas, etc.) are leasehold space. Media must obtain the tenant’s permission and escort, if required, to photograph, videotape or otherwise gather information in those areas.

Media are required to be escorted into sterile or restricted areas. MSO will try to comply with media requests for escorts if time and staffing allow. No cables, extension cords, lights, etc., may be placed in any public area without prior approval from MSO. These items could pose a potential injury or tripping hazard to the traveling public and Airport staff. Such items, if approved, must not interfere with passenger flow or airport operations.

Please note that media must observe restricted filming around checkpoint areas as determined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prohibits photography of the security checkpoint, including the equipment and personnel. In addition, only ticketed passengers may proceed through the security checkpoint. Further, each airline has its own policy concerning media coverage; it is recommended that media contact the corporate office or local station manager of that airline or agency to obtain media information.

When filming at the airport, taking still photos, or conducting interviews, all media should contact the Missoula International Airport Administration office 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.

MSO reserves the right to restrict media activity at any location on airport premises, if public security, safety, or operational concerns so warrant.

Live News Broadcasts from MSO
Live news reports are permitted at MSO. Broadcast vans and all other news vehicles should be parked in the designated live hook-up area. Proper media identification should be displayed on vehicles at all times. Any other parking locations will be considered only upon prior approval, which can be requested through the Airport Administration Office.

Airfield and Runway Access
Airfield access is strictly controlled. Requests for filming in the aircraft operation areas (AOA) 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 manpower, operational considerations and safety permit. In the event of an emergency situation or other events that requires the full attention of the Airport Operations staff, a prearranged escort may be cancelled.

Changes During Heightened Security
When enhanced security procedures are mandated by either the FAA or TSA, there may be certain additional restrictions on media access. Those restrictions will remain in effect until modified by the issuing agency.

Weather and ATC Delays
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. The 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.

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. Some airlines or the FAA may delay arrivals or departures until visibility and conditions improve.

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

Airport Press Briefings
Missoula International Airport may call a press briefing for any of the following reasons:
 
•  An announcement that will affect travelers
•  Draw attention to an issue of importance at the Airport
•  Any ongoing issues.

Media representatives will be notified as to the location, date, and time of any scheduled press briefings.

Commercial Filming at MSO
Requests to film at Missoula International Airport should be made to Airport Administration. Media interested in filming passengers, aircraft and/or equipment of a particular airline must receive approval from Missoula International Airport and that airline’s corporate or local contact. MSO will assist the media in contacting the airlines. TSA’s security measures are always enforced.

The MSO website www.flymissoula.com can be used as a source for current and historical information, including press releases, flight information updated by the airlines, ground transportation services, area hotels and more.

In the event of an aircraft emergency, the affected airline is responsible for providing information regarding passengers aboard the aircraft and any detailed information about the flight crew, flight activities and the aircraft.

Emergencies Involving Aircraft and/or Passengers
The second floor passenger departing area of the terminal building will be reserved for families of passengers on board the aircraft. Uniformed law enforcement officers will provide security to guarantee the privacy of family members. Missoula International Airport’s first responsibility is to the passengers, their families and their right to privacy. If any individual is reluctant to be interviewed or photographed, the Airport will support their decision. In addition, during an aircraft accident, access to passengers may be subject to approval by the involved airline, or the NTSB.

Media response to aircraft incident/accident - Accredited representatives of the media will initially be directed to the Airport Conference Room by traffic control officers. Regular briefings will be conducted at that location by the Public Information Officer, Airport Director, or designee approved by the Incident Commander.

Consenting family members of passengers on board the aircraft may be interviewed at mutually acceptable locations in, or at, the terminal provided the location: 1) is away from the second floor area reserved for families, and 2) does not interfere with the incident response effort.

The Public Information Officer will, at the earliest possible moment, arrange for a bus and driver to respond to the airport terminal for use by the media. When authorized by the Incident Commander, accredited media representatives will be taken by bus to a designated area in view of the crash site that allows reasonable photo opportunities while still ensuring the safety of responders and media. Photographs and video may be taken from any area where access has been permitted; however, Public Safety and Airport Operations personnel may restrict the use of flash, strobes, and other high intensity lighting that may affect the response to the situation.

Under no circumstances will unauthorized persons, including media representatives, be allowed inside the incident perimeter.

Only members of recognized media organizations with appropriate visible identification will be permitted in media briefing areas and on the Missoula International Airport Air Operations Area (AOA) or transported to the scene of the emergency. At times, it may be necessary to pool media resources. Based on the nature of the situation at hand, the official in charge will determine any restrictions on the movement of the media that may be necessary to allow a safe and orderly response to the incident.

Media representatives will not resist, obstruct, oppose or interfere with any law enforcement officer in the lawful execution of his or her duties, and are not exempt from any federal, state or local laws and will be treated in the same manner as any violator if arrested.

The cause of an aircraft crash or incident is released by the NTSB and the airline involved after an investigation has been conducted. Until then, no agency will speculate about the cause of the incident. The passenger manifest (list of names of passengers and crewmembers on an aircraft) is released by the airline, not the Airport. Information on air traffic control communication with the pilot of an aircraft involved in an incident is released by the FAA, not the Airport. Initial confirmation of deaths resulting from the crash of an airplane is made by the coroner, medical examiner, or other designated law enforcement officers, and information will not be released until family members are notified.

All media representatives at the scene of an accident will immediately comply with any order, direction, or signal by the airport's fire fighting or security forces or authorized airport representatives. Smoking or use of devices constituting a source of ignition is prohibited on the airfield, due to the possible spillage of volatile materials.

Response 1 - a standby situation for a single engine aircraft.
 
Response 2 - a standby situation for a commuter type aircraft. This may be upgraded to a Response 3.
 
Response 3 - A major disaster is imminent with a large air carrier, or smaller aircraft with more than a single engine.
 
Mass casualty - This is defined as ten or more casualties
 
ARFF - Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting
 
Inner Perimeter (hot zone) - The area designated by the Senior Public Safety Officer which encloses the wreckage and ARFF operations
 
Outer perimeter - The area designated by the Incident Commander which encloses and extends beyond the Perimeter to provide sufficient space for rescue operations
 
Field Command Post (Mobile) - The area or vehicle(s) near the incident from which operations are coordinated
 
Staging Area - The area in the vicinity of the incident for holding personnel and equipment prior to site deployment

Triage Area - The area designated for the on-site emergency medical treatment and disposition of the injured

"Alert" - Covert radio message to the Public Safety Department from the air traffic control tower declaring a response

Public Safety Department (MCAA) - The combined departments consisting of Airport Police, Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters, and Airport Operations

Field Maintenance Department (MCAA) - The personnel responsible for airport maintenance and repair, with inference on airfield maintenance

Building Maintenance Department (MCAA) - The personnel responsible for terminal maintenance and repair

MCAA - Missoula County Airport Authority

ATCT - Air Traffic Control Tower

NTSB - National Transportation Safety Board

The most effective management of an aircraft incident/accident will be through a unified command structure with incident co-commanders from the Missoula County Sheriff's Department and the Missoula International Airport ARFF.

The Senior Officer of the Public Safety Department will be the Inner Perimeter Commander or a designee will be appointed by the Airport Director.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
The NTSB is one of the federal agencies that investigate aircraft accidents involving serious injury or substantial property damage. The agency takes custody of the aircraft and its contents from the time fire/rescue operations are concluded until a full investigation is completed. Upon arrival of the NTSB investigating team, airport staff will assume a support role as requested.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Several branches of the FAA have responsibilities in the event of an aircraft emergency. The FAA operates the control tower and will direct air traffic during an emergency to permit equipment to proceed to the accident site. The FAA also releases information regarding air traffic control communication with the pilot of the affected aircraft.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The FBI has jurisdiction when a law enforcement-related emergency occurs aboard an aircraft that is still on the ground. If an aircraft is in flight when an event occurs, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has jurisdiction.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
TSA is a national agency created to protect the nation’s transportation system. The ultimate goal of TSA is to create an atmosphere of security while ensuring the freedom of movement for people. Airport security information will be handled by the TSA in the event of an emergency.

Missoula County Sheriff's Department
MCSD is responsible for incident command, coroner functions, and perimeter traffic and crowd control.

Missoula Rural and City Fire
MRFD is responsible for assisting the Operations Department with the suppression of fire and rescue of passengers and crew, as well as assisting with triage and treatment of injured passengers.

Missoula Emergency Ambulance Service
Responsible for the coordination of/and triage of injured passengers, treating injured passengers, and transporting injured passengers to the hospitals.

Airlines and Air Carriers
In the event of an aircraft emergency, the affected airline is responsible for providing information regarding passengers aboard the aircraft and any detailed information about the flight crew, flight activities and the aircraft.

Coroner Group
Initial confirmation of any casualties resulting from an aircraft accident is made by the coroner, medical examiner, or other designated law enforcement officer. Information will not be released until family members are notified.

Response 2
Standby situation for a commuter aircraft
Missoula Tower personnel will normally advise Missoula Fire Rescue that an emergency exists for a commuter aircraft that requires dispatch of emergency equipment. A Response 2 may be upgraded to a Response 3.

Response 3 
A Response 3 indicates that a major disaster is imminent with a large air carrier or smaller aircraft with more than a single engine requiring immediate dispatch of emergency equipment to the scene of the emergency to commence fire fighting and/or rescue operations.

•  Web Site: www.flymissoula.com 
•  Official Airport Name: Missoula International Airport
•  Three Letter Identifier: MSO
•  Owner: Missoula County Airport Authority
•  Airport Director: Cris Jensen, A.A.E.
•  Accessible from the I-90 Airway Boulevard interchange
•  Located off Highway 10 West 4 miles NW of the city
•  Time zone: Mountain time zone
•  Elevation: 3205 feet above sea level
•  Total Acreage: 3,600 acres
•  Zip code: 59808
•  345,000 people live within 90 minutes of MSO
•  Coordinates: 46° 54' 58.7"  N - 114° 05' 26" W

Airport Facilities and Services

•  Two runways with connecting taxiway network
•  VOR navigational aid on field
•  ASR-9 Airport Surveillance Radar 
•  Category I instrument landing system
•  ILS, VOR, NDB and GPS Approaches 
•  Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI's) 
•  Airport Weather Observation Station
•  Open 24 hours daily
•  Certified under FAR Part 139 
•  Air Traffic Control Tower
•  Two full service Fixed Base Operations on field
•  Aircraft rental and flight training.

Proper pronunciation is "one-one" and "two-nine". Runway 11-29 is used for airline, cargo, corporate, and general aviation aircraft operations. Aircraft on approach to runway 29 generally pass over the north Reserve shopping district, while aircraft on approach to runway 11 come in from the west. All properly equipped aircraft making a precision instrument approach to MSO will be landing on Runway 11.

Runway 07-25

•  Orientation is roughly southwest-northeast
•  Intersects runway 11-29. 
•  4,612 feet long x 75 feet wide.
•  Medium intensity runway lights

Proper pronunciation is "seven" and "two-five". Runway 07-25 is the crosswind runway used for light cargo planes, corporate, and general aviation operations. This runway is not used for airline operations. Aircraft on approach to runway 25 generally pass over Expressway and Highway 10 West, while aircraft on approach to runway 07 come in from the southwest and pass over Mullan Road. Because wind conditions do not often favor 07, this runway is not generally used for take-off or landing operations.

11R-29L - Proposed future parallel runway

•  Orientation parallel to existing runway 11-29
•  Estimated 6,000 x 100 feet.

If operational demands exist and funding becomes available, this runway would be constructed south of the existing runway 11-29, which would then become 29R-11L. This project would also require necessary taxiways, markings, signage, and ILS approach lighting systems. Proper pronunciation would be "One-One Right" or "Two-Nine Left".

For more information about MSO's runways, please visit our Runways and Facilities page.

Airlines and Aircraft Serving Missoula

Destinations Cities Served

•  Las Vegas, Nevada
•  Los Angeles, CA
•  Phoenix, Arizona
•  Seattle, Washington
•  Minneapolis, Minnesota
•  Salt Lake City, Utah
•  Denver, Colorado
•  Chicago, Illinois (Seasonal)
•  San Francisco, California (starts June 2010)

Commercial Aircraft in general  use at MSO

•  Airbus A320 Series
•  Boeing 737 Series
•  DeHavilland DHC-8-400 Dash 8
•  Canadair Regional Jet CRJ200
•  Canadair Regional Jet CRJ700
•  Canadiar Regional Jet CRJ900
•  Embraer 175 Regional Jet
•  McDonnel Douglas MD83 Series.

Last updated March 9,  2010