Recording At Heathrow: What You Need To Know

can i record in heathrow airport

Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a gateway to the United Kingdom and facilitating international travel and trade. With its rich history, diverse range of architecture, and daily dramatic moments, it's no wonder that many people are interested in filming at Heathrow. The airport has a range of policies and procedures in place regarding filming and recording on its premises. Heathrow utilizes an extensive network of CCTV cameras and other surveillance systems to monitor the airport for safety and security purposes, and this footage is sometimes shared with third parties such as the police for security or crime prevention. Members of the public and media outlets can apply for filming permits, but there are strict requirements, including public liability insurance, and Heathrow may deny requests due to security or operational considerations.

Characteristics Values
Recording by the public Not mentioned
Recording by accredited members of the media Allowed with a breaking news permit
Recording for commercial purposes Allowed with a filming permit. An applicable fee will be charged
Recording by Heathrow Airport Surveillance data in the form of static or moving imagery, audio, and metadata is collected via surveillance systems
Third-party recording Third parties such as the Police, UK Border Force, and local authorities may have access to Heathrow's surveillance camera infrastructure

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Applying for filming permits

To apply for filming permits at Heathrow Airport, you must first determine whether your filming is for a news story or commercial purposes. Accredited members of the media looking to film at the airport for a relevant, current news story should complete a breaking news permit. If this is done out of hours, you must also call the Duty Press Officer on +44 (0)20 8745 7224.

For all non-news or commercial filming, you must visit https://filming.heathrow.com. It is important to allow at least five working days for all non-news and commercial requests. An applicable fee will be charged for commercial filming and photography, excluding accredited news media and any filming done on behalf of Heathrow's business partners.

Public liability insurance is required for any filming or photography at Heathrow. While Heathrow considers each request received, there may be times when they are unable to accommodate your request due to security or operational considerations. If your request is authorised, you will receive a permit via email, which must be shown to any member of Heathrow staff or the Police who request to see it.

To apply for a non-commercial filming permit, you can visit https://mediacentre.heathrow.com/filming_permits/application_form.

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Surveillance and privacy

Heathrow Airport Ltd. and Heathrow Express Operating Company, collectively known as "Heathrow", have a privacy notice in place that outlines what to expect when they collect personal information via surveillance systems. This includes static or moving imagery, audio, and metadata such as vehicle plate data, using both static and mobile devices such as staff-activated body-worn cameras. Heathrow is committed to protecting personal information, safety, and security when individuals use Heathrow services. They are legally obliged to handle personal information in line with all applicable laws concerning the protection of personal data, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

Heathrow's surveillance camera infrastructure is shared with third parties such as the Police, UK Border Force, local authorities, and some service partners. These third parties may take control of the cameras for security or crime prevention activities, and there are information-sharing agreements in place to govern these arrangements. In certain circumstances, Heathrow may also provide footage to third parties for their own purposes, such as incident investigations, in which case the third party becomes the data controller. Additionally, third-party market researchers may operate their own recording systems in limited circumstances.

Heathrow has appointed an EU Representative to ensure continuous compliance with applicable laws and to protect the statutory rights of EU residents whose personal data may be processed from time to time. Individuals have the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), if they are unsatisfied with Heathrow's response.

It is important to note that Heathrow is in the process of upgrading its security equipment, which will enhance the passenger experience by making security checks simpler, smarter, and more accessible. Passengers are advised to follow the standard security procedures until the new equipment and processes are fully implemented.

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Accredited media requests

Accredited members of the media with filming requests at Heathrow Airport must complete a filming permit application.

For news media seeking to film at the airport for a relevant, current news story, a breaking news permit must be completed. If the request is made out of hours, the Duty Press Officer must also be contacted by phone.

Non-news or commercial filming requests must go through a different application process, which can be found on the https://filming.heathrow.com website. At least five working days should be allowed for these requests to be processed.

An applicable fee will be charged for all commercial filming and photography, excluding accredited news media and filming or photography done on behalf of Heathrow's business partners. Public liability insurance is required for any filming or photography at Heathrow.

Heathrow considers each filming request it receives but may be unable to accommodate certain requests due to security or operational considerations. If a request is authorised, the applicant will receive a permit via email, which must be shown to any member of Heathrow staff or the Police upon request.

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Commercial filming fees

Filming and photography at Heathrow Airport are subject to certain regulations. Accredited members of the media seeking to film at the airport for a current news story must complete a breaking news permit. For non-news or commercial filming, a different procedure must be followed.

An application must be submitted at least five working days in advance for all non-news and commercial filming requests. An applicable fee will be charged for commercial filming and photography, excluding accredited news media and filming for Heathrow's business partners.

Public liability insurance is required for any filming or photography at Heathrow. Each request is considered, but there may be times when security or operational constraints prevent approval. If a request is authorised, a permit will be sent via email, which must be presented to Heathrow staff or the Police upon request.

The fees for commercial filming at Heathrow Airport are not publicly available and may vary depending on the specific project and requirements. It is recommended to contact Heathrow Airport directly to inquire about the fees and obtain detailed information regarding the commercial filming process.

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Public liability insurance

If you are planning to film at Heathrow Airport, you will need to apply for a filming permit. Accredited members of the media filming for a relevant, current news story should complete a breaking news permit. For all other filming, you must apply for a non-commercial filming permit. An applicable fee will be charged for all commercial filming and photography.

Heathrow Airport requires that you have public liability insurance in place for any filming or photography. Public liability insurance provides cover in the event that you or your employees cause injury to a third party or damage their property. This insurance safeguards your production against legal liabilities and protects your legal liability to pay compensation and costs. It is not a legal requirement, but it is highly recommended to have it in place to limit your exposure to potential claims. Most contracts will require you to have this cover in place, and it may also be a requirement in a hire agreement if you are using hired equipment.

Performance Film & Media offers public liability insurance for the film and media industry, including cover for business interruption, equipment breakdown, and more. Mode Insurance also provides short-term public liability insurance that is accepted by all major equipment hire companies.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can take photos and videos at Heathrow Airport with your phone. However, Heathrow also uses CCTV and other surveillance systems to capture images, audio, and metadata such as vehicle plate data for safety and security purposes.

Yes, you can apply for a filming permit at Heathrow Airport. There are different permits for accredited members of the media filming for news stories and for non-news or commercial filming. You will need to provide evidence of £10 million public liability insurance for any filming or photography at Heathrow.

To apply for a filming permit at Heathrow Airport, visit https://filming.heathrow.com. Allow at least five working days for your request to be processed. If your request is authorised, you will receive a permit via email, which you must show to any member of Heathrow staff or the Police who ask to see it.

Yes, you can request CCTV footage of yourself at Heathrow Airport by contacting the Data Protection Officer at Heathrow Airport Ltd, The Compass Centre, Nelson Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW6 2GW. Heathrow will make a reasonable effort to locate CCTV images upon request, but they cannot guarantee retrieval, especially if the request is made close to the end of the CCTV retention period, which is typically 31 calendar days from the date recorded.

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