US Drops Shoe Removal Rule at Airports After 20 Years

US Drops Shoe Removal Rule at Airports After 20 Years.
Policy change follows tech upgrades and evolving security strategy.
Other screening measures like ID and liquid checks remain.

Passengers flying through airports in the United States will no longer be required to remove their shoes during security checks, marking the end of a two-decade-long policy.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the change, announced Tuesday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, comes amid major advancements in airport security technology.

“This decision reflects how far we’ve come. Security has evolved. TSA has evolved. We’re confident we can keep America safe while improving the experience for travelers,” Noem said.

The shoe removal policy was introduced in 2006 following the attempted bombing by Al-Qaeda member Richard Reid, dubbed the “Shoe Bomber.” Reid tried to ignite explosives hidden in his shoes aboard a Paris-to-Miami flight in December 2001. He was subdued by passengers and is now serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) clarified that while the shoe policy has been lifted, other security protocols remain. “Passengers must still undergo identity verification, Secure Flight vetting, and other layered checks,” TSA said in a statement.

Airport security in the US has been significantly tightened in recent decades, particularly after the 9/11 attacks. In 2006, a British terror plot involving liquid explosives led to global restrictions on carrying liquids, gels, and pastes. Additional measures, like removing laptops for separate screening, were also introduced.