Passengers flying within the United States will no longer have to remove their shoes during security checks at airports, as part of a new policy announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The change aims to make the airport experience smoother and faster for travellers, while still keeping security strong.
According to Secretary Noem, the new policy will help reduce long lines and wait times at TSA checkpoints.
“Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” she said.
“We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience. As always, security remains our top priority.
“Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards. This initiative is just one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the President’s vision for a new Golden Age of American travel,” she added.
While passengers will now be allowed to keep their shoes on, other security procedures will remain in place. These include identity checks, Secure Flight vetting, and other screening processes that are part of TSA’s multi-layered approach to security.
This new policy is one of several changes introduced by the Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration.
On July 2nd, TSA launched the “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” programme, offering benefits such as TSA PreCheck discounts and faster access lanes for uniformed service members and their families.
In May, TSA also began implementing the REAL ID requirement at airport checkpoints, which has achieved a 94 percent compliance rate and helped improve the efficiency of the screening process.
