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Global Strategies

Our Approach

Overview

Each day, more than 245 flights depart foreign countries en route to the United States. So while securing U.S. aviation security is critically important, equally important for TSA is working with international partners to secure the global transportation network.

To carry out TSA's mission internationally, TSA has twenty-two TSA Representatives (TSARs) and more than 50 TSA inspectors responsible for coordinating and conducting security assessments at more than 300 foreign airports and repair stations in more than 100 different countries. TSARs serve as transportation security liaisons to the local U.S. Embassy and are responsible for working with international counterparts and coordinating the DHS response to transportation-related threats and incidents. TSA inspectors perform onsite security assessments that focus on personnel and equipment preparedness. Through their efforts, TSA has successfully vetted all airports with direct flights into the United States.

TSA has developed strong working partnerships with various agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, the International Group of Eight (G8), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the U.N. Aviation Security Group (UNASG).

Through collaborative efforts with international partners, TSA has been successful in harmonizing screening measures (such as the 3-1-1 liquid rule) and other security practices overseas in an effort to meet both international and U.S. security standards.

International Harmonization of Liquids Rules

On November 6, 2006, the members of the European Union, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland, implemented new security rules pertaining to liquids in carry-on bags in an effort to harmonize, to the maximum extent possible, with measures enacted by the United States and Canada in September 2006.

These changes were the first in Europe since the total ban enacted after the United Kingdom foiled a liquid explosives plot on August 10, 2006.

Effective November 6, 2006, travelers going to and from the U.S., Canada, the 25 member countries of the European Union, as well as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, can use the same one quart, clear plastic, zip-top bag to transport their travel-sized liquid, gel and aerosol items in carry-on bags through various security checkpoints here and abroad. To put this in perspective, approximately half of the world's travelers are governed by similar security measures.

This collaboration is a monumental development in international airline security. The clarity and consistency of these security measures help to remove confusion for passengers traveling internationally while making the detection of threat items easier at the checkpoint for all security officers.

» Using 3-1-1 to Make Your Trip Better.