The high-level security checks endured by passengers at UK airports, including restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken on planes, could be enforced across the world under plans to be proposed by Theresa May on her first visit to the UN this week.
The prime minister will urge world leaders to back a landmark UN security council resolution on aviation security in the wake of the downing over Sinai by a suspected bomb of a Russian Metrojet that had just left Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, the emergency landing of a Somali plane after a suspected laptop bomb went off on a flight from Mogadishu, and the deadly terrorist attacks on airports in Brussels and Istanbul.
A resolution to be proposed by May will call on the International Civil Aviation Organisation to step up its efforts to ensure individual countries comply with the international standards.
It will also demand that all countries ensure they have effective anti-terrorist measures in place through enhanced screening, security checks and facility security. At most airports, liquids in containers larger than 100ml generally are not allowed through security, even if the container is only partly full. However, those rules, which were introduced in 2006, are not followed to the letter even across Europe and the rules differ across the globe.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said she could not comment on “the specific areas of concern for operational and security reasons”.
She said that decisions on restricting liquids would have to be made by the civil aviation organisation, but added that the UN resolution would illustrate the political belief in the need for tough security.
Speaking before her visit to the UN on Monday, the prime minister said: “In the face of an increasing terrorist threat, it is vital that we work with other countries to keep our people safe. I am determined that the UK should take a leading role in driving progress towards greater aviation security.
“This historic UN resolution will galvanise international action to improve security measures, and focus support on countries more vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
“The UK is already sharing our expertise in this area and the new resolution will be another step forward in the fight against terrorism, helping to make it safer for British tourists travelling by air.”
Under the UN resolution, developed countries would also provide technical assistance and resources to help other countries provide more effective domestic aviation security measures. Additionally, airlines would need to provide advance passenger information to help detect the movement of terrorists.
In recent weeks the UK has been working to secure the backing of the permanent members of the UN security council. China, the US and France are all on board, with Russia close to agreeing the proposals, a Downing Street source said. It is hoped the resolution will be adopted at a meeting of foreign ministers in New York on Thursday.
The resolution is timed to coincide with the triennial assembly of the civil aviation organisation.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the UK had already taken a number of steps to improve international aviation security, including substantially expanding a network of UK security liaison officers to ensure the safety of British travellers across the globe.
It is also understood that May will be seeking to encourage leading US business figures to recognise the UK as “a strong dynamic location for investment and to do trade” in the wake of the Brexit vote. She is to host a business reception on the fringe of the UN general assembly for up to 60 leading figures on Monday evening.
