Passengers travelling through US airports will no longer be required to remove their shoes during security screenings, marking the end of a policy in place since 2006.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) directive at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport on Tuesday. The change reflects advancements in security technology and a broader, layered approach to national security.
“In those 20 years since that policy was put in place, our security technology has changed dramatically,” Noem said. “We are very confident we can maintain the same standard of security while improving the travel experience.”
The shoe removal rule was implemented in response to the 2001 attempted bombing by Richard Reid, an Al-Qaeda member who tried to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes aboard a flight from Paris to Miami. Reid was subdued by fellow passengers and is now serving a life sentence in a US maximum-security prison.
While the shoe policy is ending, TSA clarified that other screening protocols remain in place, including identity checks, Secure Flight vetting, and electronics inspections. Restrictions on liquids, introduced after a 2006 foiled plot involving liquid explosives, will also continue.
The update signals a shift toward a more streamlined, tech-driven airport experience while maintaining vigilance against evolving threats.