The Louisville Regional Airport Authority owns and operates both Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Bowman Field (LOU).
All requests for information, interviews or to conduct media business on site anywhere on property at SDF or Bowman Field for routine needs, special events and breaking news, should be coordinated and facilitated through the Airport Authority’s Public Relations Department. Only the Public Relations Department is authorized to speak to and handle media inquiries on behalf of the Airport Authority, including both SDF and Bowman Field.
Director of Public Relations
(502) 363-8507 office
(502) 475-8084 cell
Natalie.Chaudoin@FlyLouisville.com
Visual and Content Strategy Manager
(502) 363-8508 office
(502) 418-1678 cell
Kim.Pemberton@FlyLouisville.com
Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer
(502) 363-8509 office
(502) 802-8909 cell
Darrell.Watson@FlyLouisville.com
Media are welcome to the public areas of the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Bowman Field (LOU). Public areas include, but are not limited to, the terminal ticketing and baggage claim levels, the upper and lower roadways, curb areas, all parking lots and the garage prior to the entrance of the TSA security checkpoint.
Media should contact and receive approval confirmation from the Director of Public Relations (or designated member of the Public Relations Department) BEFORE arriving on-site at either SDF or Bowman Field to film, take still photos, conduct interviews and act in any capacity as working media.
Media members are asked to display media credentials and identify themselves to anyone they interview, photograph, film or any Airport Authority staff if asked.
Media should be mindful of traffic patterns inside the terminal and on the roadways and should not block or restrict movement for pedestrians or vehicles. This is especially important in areas at or near entrances/exits, escalators, elevators or the moving sidewalks. Media actions are not permitted to interfere with airport operations. TSA security measures are always enforced.
Access to areas beyond the TSA security checkpoint, on the airfield at SDF as well secure areas at both SDF and Bowman Field is at the discretion of the Public Relations Department and the Airport Authority’s business partners. Media access to these areas may be requested when needed for a specific business purpose, and may only be approved and granted by the Director of Public Relations or designated member of the Public Relations Department in advance on a case-by-case basis. TSA security measures are always enforced.
SDF Parking: Media vehicles are permitted to park in the garage or any lot on property at SDF. Please contact the Director of Public Relations in advance of arriving at either airport to verify parking arrangements. Click here for a parking map of SDF.
While on-site at SDF, bring the white parking ticket inside the terminal for parking to be validated as instructed through the Public Relations Department.
Security regulations require that any vehicle on the upper or lower roadway at SDF must be attended at all times. Any vehicle unattended will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.
Bowman Field Parking: Media vehicles are permitted to park in the main Administration Building lot at Bowman Field, located at 2815 Taylorsville Road.
Click here for airport logos
Click here for press releases and airport announcements from the airports’ official News page.
Click here to view a media gallery that includes SDF Next Program improvements, airport events and other special announcements.
The nation’s airspace is controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), whose air traffic controllers in partnership with the airlines and the pilots make determination of when an aircraft’s scheduled flight may be adversely impacted due to weather. Airports do not have the ability to restrict airspace or ground aircraft.
In the event of winter weather, the Airport Authority is responsible for clearing and maintaining the operational capabilities of both SDF and Bowman Field. This includes airport runways, taxiways, ramps and other terminal areas such as public roadways, sidewalks, walkways, parking areas, etc. The airfields for SDF and Bowman Field do not close during winter weather and will maintain operational capabilities for passenger and cargo airline partners.
Each airline is responsible for the management of their own flight operations, which includes scheduling, aircraft parking and handling, de-icing, baggage loading and unloading, aircraft boarding, aircraft deplaning and any flight-specific customer service needs such as baggage issues. It is at the discretion of each individual airline whether they choose to delay or cancel any flight due to winter weather.
During severe weather locally or in other parts of the country, flights may be delayed or canceled. This could be due to severe weather at SDF; however, it could also be due to weather at the flight’s destination or a connecting airport because weather in one area of the country could impact flights locally at SDF.
It is also important to remember that overall flight operations may be impacted by severe weather – including lighting – to ensure the safety of the passengers as well as the ground crews supporting these flights. This may result in an aircraft becoming delayed when taxiing or parking at the terminal and baggage loading/unloading could be delayed in reaching the baggage carousels. Different airlines have different safety standards for their crews, all of which must be adhered to in inclement weather.
In the event of an emergency at SDF or Bowman Field, media requests will be handled as quickly as possible through the Public Relations Department. In the event of an emergency, please contact the Director of Public Relations for event updates and request information. Only the Public Relations Department is authorized to speak to and handle media inquiries on behalf of the Airport Authority, including both SDF and Bowman Field.
It is expected that a high volume of inquiries will be received in an emergency situation. To help ensure you receive the most up-to-date information, please do the following:
Media Briefing: If a media briefing is needed based on the situation, that information will be sent via an advisory to the airport’s media distribution list and posted to its X account at @FlyLouisville.
Allegiant Air
(702) 800-2020 or MediaRelations@AllegiantAir.com
American Airlines
MediaRelations@AA.com
Breeze Airways
(801) 436-3984 or CorporateCommunications@FlyBreeze.com
Delta Air Lines
(404) 715-2554 or Online Media Request Form
Southwest Airlines
SWAMedia@wnco.com
Spirit Airlines
Media_Relations@Spirit.com
Sun Country Airlines
MediaRelations@SunCountry.com
United Airlines
Media.Relations@United.com
UPS
(404) 828-7123 or PR@UPS.com
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees civil aviation and commercial space transportation in the United States, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the national aviation system.
The FAA issues Ground Stops as needed for airports across the country for various reason such as weather, congestion, etc. Airports do not control or enforce them. Ground stops should always be attributed to the FAA – not the airport.
Additional FAA responsibilities include:
Media inquiries for the FAA should be directed to PressOffice@FAA.gov or visit FAA.gov/newsroom for more information.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ensures the security of the nation’s transportation systems. They are responsible for screening passengers and baggage, implementing security measures and developing and enforcing various security programs.
Media inquiries for TSA should be directed to the appropriate Regional Spokesperson noted at: TSA.gov/news/press or TSA Public Affairs at TSAMedia@TSA.DHS.gov.
