Passengers flying from airports in the United States will no longer be required to remove their shoes during security screenings, marking the end of a 20-year-old rule introduced after the infamous “Shoe Bomber” incident.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the policy change on Tuesday at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport. She cited advancements in screening technology and a stronger, multi-layered security system as reasons for the update.
“In the past two decades, our security methods have evolved significantly. We’re confident that we can maintain the same level of safety without requiring passengers to take off their shoes,” said Noem.
The rule was introduced in 2006, five years after Al-Qaeda member Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami. Reid was overpowered by passengers and is now serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison in Colorado.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) clarified that all other security measures, including ID checks, Secure Flight vetting, and electronics screening, will remain in place.
Airport security protocols have grown stricter since the September 11, 2001 attacks. These include limits on liquids after a 2006 UK terror plot and stricter checks on electronic devices.
The shoe removal rule’s removal signals a step toward easing the travel experience while maintaining security standards.
