The era of removing shoes to pass through security checkpoints at U.S. airports is coming to an end.
Kristi Noem, Minister of Homeland Security, held a press conference on the 8th (local time) at Ronald Reagan Airport near Washington, D.C., and announced the abolition of the shoe inspection requirement from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Minister Noem noted, "This policy will take effect nationwide immediately."
The policy will be applied immediately to most travelers, except for some who require additional screening.
Minister Noem emphasized again, "Americans and travelers will be very happy with the policy of not removing shoes," and added, "There is no longer a need to take off shoes."
The TSA shoe inspection was implemented starting in 2006, following an incident on December 22, 2001, when a British man named Richard Reid attempted a shoe bomb attack on an American Airlines flight traveling from Paris to Miami.
Reid failed to ignite a shoe containing about 10 ounces (approximately 283g) of explosives. Passengers and crew subdued him, and the plane landed safely at Boston Logan Airport.
Reid is currently serving a life sentence in a supermax prison in Colorado after being convicted of terrorism charges.
Over the past 19 years, the TSA has gone through a process of easing and then tightening shoe inspection regulations repeatedly.
Nicholas Calio, Chief Executive Officer of American Airlines, said, "I welcome this move," adding that "security decisions using advanced technology are a common-sense policy change."