The shoe removal requirement was introduced in the aftermath of the 2001 failed bombing attempt by Richard Reid, who attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a transatlantic flight
Travellers at US airports will no longer be required to remove their shoes during security screening, bringing an end to a policy that has been in place for nearly 20 years, the US Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday.
The change, which takes effect immediately across all US airports, was confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference held at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
“We want to improve this travel experience, while maintaining safety standards,” Noem said, adding that the decision reflects recent improvements in airport screening technology.
The shoe removal requirement was introduced in the aftermath of the 2001 failed bombing attempt by Richard Reid, who attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a transatlantic flight. By 2006, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had made shoe removal mandatory for most passengers at security checkpoints, citing ongoing intelligence concerns.
While members of the TSA’s PreCheck programme have long been allowed to keep their shoes on, Tuesday’s announcement extends that privilege to all travellers. PreCheck passengers are also allowed to leave laptops and certain liquids in their bags during screening.
The TSA reportedly briefed airline industry stakeholders earlier in the day. According to the agency, it screened an average of 2.5 million passengers per day last year.
Noem said the decision follows a comprehensive review of TSA’s operations. “We took a hard look at how TSA does its business, how it does its screening processes, and what we do to make people safe, but also provide some hospitality as well,” she said.
With global events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, officials are expecting a significant increase in international and domestic travel.
The airline industry welcomed the move. Airlines for America, which represents major carriers including American Airlines, Delta and United, issued a statement praising the policy change: “This policy change will go a long way in facilitating smooth, seamless and secure travel for passengers and is welcome news to the millions of people who fly every day. Making security decisions that are informed by risk assessments and based on leveraging advanced technologies is a commonsense approach to policy change.”
The change marks a notable shift in TSA’s approach, balancing post-9/11 security priorities with evolving technology and the desire to improve passenger experience.
