Filming policy

All persons or organizations who wish to carry out any filming, photography or video activities (filming activities) for commercial, media or not-for-profit purposes at the Ottawa International Airport must coordinate their request for authorization through the Airport Authority’s Communications and Public Affairs office.

Airport tenants are required to advise the Communications and Public Affairs office of filming activities in their area in advance. Tenants shall only coordinate filming activities that are relevant to their companies. All other filming activities such as commercial filming shall be coordinated and approved by the Authority and will be subject to location and administration fees mentioned below. By managing all filming activities that take place on Airport property, the Authority is better able to mitigate any potential risk, minimize any negative impact associated with such activities, and ensure that all regulatory and safety requirements are met.

Filming activities can fall under several categories and will be evaluated on an individual basis:

• Media: television, press etc. inquiries or filming activities for in-depth news feature shows (e.g. news magazine) and stock film for news shows.
• Commercial: filming activities that form part or all of television show or motion picture film, etc.
• Not-for-profit activities: filming activities for charitable organizations, student projects.
• Miscellaneous: filming activities carried out by private parties or airlines/tenants and other locally-based companies for their own use.

General information

• An Airport Authority escort is required at all times to carry out any filming activities while on Airport property.
• If filming activities occur in a restricted (secure) area:
  • To meet Transport Canada requirements, requests must be received a minimum of two weeks in advance for proper assessment prior to approval;
  • The standard Transport Canada security escort requirement must be observed. For every ten (10) passes, there will be one escort. There is a fee per escort required (see below). Under any circumstances, individuals being escorted are not to leave their escort;
  • All persons must be in possession of appropriate temporary restricted area passes and these must be visibly displayed at all times; and
  • All persons and their equipment must pass through normal security screening procedures, which would include a wand search of the persons involved and a visual inspection of the cameras.
• Filming activities must not interrupt or disrupt normal Airport operations, including passenger flow.
• The Authority has the right to shut down filming activities for any reason at any time.
• The person or organization must provide a copy of certificate of insurance.
• The person or organization must sign a location license agreement with the Authority.
• The person or organization shall ensure that all equipment is removed after completion of the shoot and that the property is left in the same condition as when entered upon.
• The person or organization must obtain written permission from Airport tenants and/or parties involved for use of their facilities (e.g. airline counters).
• Electrical wires in public traffic areas must be covered or taped down.
• The person or organization is required to have written consent from third party individuals who are appearing on film, video or photo.
• There will be no unauthorized filming of the Airport security equipment or activity.
• The Authority must be provided with the story line, script and/or scenario that will be filmed at the Airport in advance. Filming must not portray the Airport in a negative light. The Authority has the right to refuse any filming activity that depicts violence, drug use or inappropriate scenes within the Airport. 
• For safety reasons, the Airport’s public address system must remain operational at all times (no exceptions).

Location fees

This price list is a reference. The actual costs will be based on the scope and magnitude of the project in question, and are subject to the Authority’s approval.

*The fee varies according to the number of vehicles, the frequency of vehicle movement and the scope of the filming.

** The fee varies according to the number of rooms utilized, their usage and the layout requirements.

*** The fee varies according to the number of participants, the equipment required to be installed.

Damage deposit

The damage deposit will be determined by the Authority based on a risk assessment associated with particular filming activities.

Payment fees

Location fees and Damage deposits are payable upon signing the contract. Upon completion of filming activities, the account will be reconciled to facilitate repayment of damage deposit as applicable, and collection of additional incurred fees.

If you are a person with a disability and require an alternate method for access or use of the online form, you can email [email protected] or call 613-248-2082 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.