US bid to inspect foreign airports

US politicians have backed a bill that could allow officials to conduct unannounced inspections on foreign shores.

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development prescribes airport security requirements in Australia.

US politicians have backed a bill to bolster security at overseas airports that could pave the way for its Transportation Security Administration to conduct unannounced inspections on foreign shores.

This week the US House of Representatives unanimously passed the bill, which will direct the US Transportation Security Administration to carry out risk assessment of foreign airports that service non-stop flights to the US.

The law, dubbed the Securing Aviation from Foreign Entry Points and Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security Act, will allow the TSA to donate security screening equipment to foreign airports and also give it permission to enter into a mutual agreement with foreign governments to conduct inspections of foreign airports without prior notice.

The rules could affect all Last Point of Departure (LPD) airports, or foreign airports with non-stop flights to the US. In Australia airports with direct flights to US states include Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development prescribes airport security requirements in Australia. It also deals with the TSA on aviation security matters and advises industry of any additional security requirements for flights from Australia to the US.

A spokesman for the department said the Australian government retained a “strong and co-operative” relationship with the US government, including the Transportation Security Administration, on aviation security.

But they said it was too early to say if the bill would have any effect on Australian airports.

“At this stage, with the bill to go before the US Senate, it is not anticipated that the changes currently under consideration by the US government will impact security arrangements at Australian airports,” the spokesman said.

The bill was introduced by Republican Congressman John Katko, who said it was crafted in response to a series of security lapses, including a gun-smuggling operation aided by airport insiders and the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268. “Terrorists recognise that it is easier to attack an aircraft destined for the US from overseas, rather than travel to the US and then plot a domestic attack,” Mr Katko said.