Airports Where You Must Remove Shoes Before Boarding

The requirement to remove shoes at airport security is a common occurrence for many travellers, especially those passing through American airports. The US introduced this rule after Richard Reid, the shoe bomber, attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami in 2001. However, this requirement is not universal, and travellers may be surprised to find that other countries do not always demand the removal of shoes. For example, in Europe, the EU has a unified set of security guidelines that do not include shoe removal, although individual countries and airports may vary. Airports in Canada, South America, Australia, and New Zealand also generally do not require shoe removal, except in specific cases.

Airports in the US require shoe removal at security checkpoints

Airports in the United States have a standard procedure of requiring all passengers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. This rule applies to all types of shoes, including boots, sandals, and heels, and they must be placed in an X-ray machine for inspection. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, including passengers aged 75 and above, children under 12, and those with a TSA PreCheck membership.

The implementation of shoe removal at US airport security checkpoints is primarily attributed to Richard Reid, also known as the "shoe bomber." On December 22, 2001, Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami. This incident led to the introduction of the shoe scan program in the US, which aims to detect modifications in shoes rather than explosives.

While the US has a consistent shoe removal policy, other countries have varying approaches. In Canada, for example, passengers enrolled in the Canadian Air Transport Authority (CATSA) Verified Traveller Program are exempt from removing their shoes, similar to the TSA PreCheck program. Additionally, travellers flying within Canada or internationally, except to the US, can keep their shoes on. In South America, shoe removal is generally not required, and passengers flying from Argentina or Brazil are usually exempt.

In Europe, the European Union has a unified set of security guidelines that do not mandate shoe removal. However, individual countries and airports may have different practices. For instance, airports in Barcelona, Spain, Heathrow in the United Kingdom, and Dublin, Ireland, often require passengers to remove their shoes, especially when travelling to the US. Similarly, some Asian countries have diverse approaches, with Manila International Airport in the Philippines and Bangkok International Airport in Thailand mandating shoe removal, while airports in Japan and South Korea typically do not require it.

The UK requires shoe removal for certain shoes

The UK does not have a blanket rule requiring all passengers to remove their shoes at airport security. However, passengers travelling through certain UK airports, such as Heathrow, may be required to remove their shoes if they are travelling to the United States. In general, the types of shoes that may require removal at UK airport security include boots, shoes with metal in them, or bulky shoes. This is in line with the EU's unified set of security guidelines, which do not require removing shoes but allow individual countries, airports, and flights to implement different measures.

The UK's approach to shoe removal at airport security differs from that of other countries, such as the United States, where shoe removal is mandatory at all checkpoints for all types of shoes, with some exceptions for certain travellers. The US shoe removal policy was implemented after a failed attempt by Richard Reid, also known as the "shoe bomber," to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami in 2001. This incident sparked a heightened awareness of shoes as a potential security risk, leading to the widespread adoption of shoe removal policies at US airports.

In Canada, shoe removal is generally not required for domestic or international flights unless the final destination is the United States. Similarly, in South America, shoe removal is not commonly enforced, and passengers travelling from Argentina or Brazil are typically exempt from removing their shoes. In Mexico, shoe removal is also not mandatory, and travellers are not expected to remove their shoes when passing through airport security.

In New Zealand, shoe removal is rarely enforced at airports such as Auckland International, with some exceptions for boots with metal or shoes that cover the ankle. In contrast, some Asian countries have diverse approaches to airport security, and shoe removal requirements may vary across different countries and airports in the region.

Ultimately, the UK's approach to shoe removal at airport security is more flexible and context-dependent, focusing on certain types of shoes that may pose a security risk, rather than implementing a blanket rule for all passengers. This aligns with the EU's guidelines and recognises that security threats can vary across different countries and airports, influencing the specific measures implemented.

Canada requires shoe removal for US-bound flights

In Canada, travellers are not required to remove their shoes at airport security unless they are flying to the United States. This rule is in place due to the security and threat assessments of the US, which require additional security measures at departure airports for US-bound flights.

At Edmonton International Airport, for example, passengers must remove steel-toed boots or shoes with metal in their heels. However, passengers enrolled in the Canadian Air Transport Authority (CATSA) Verified Traveller Program are exempt from this rule, similar to TSA PreCheck in the US. The CATSA program is also open to US citizens.

In addition to Canada, there are several other countries that require shoe removal for US-bound flights. This includes Dublin and Shannon Airports in Ireland, Barcelona in Spain, Heathrow in the United Kingdom, and various airports in the Philippines.

The US shoe removal policy was implemented in 2006 after terrorists plotted to detonate liquid bombs on transatlantic flights. However, the issue stems from an attempted shoe bombing in 2001 by Richard Reid, also known as the "shoe bomber." As a result, the US maintains strict shoe removal protocols for travellers aged 13 to 74 at all checkpoints, with exceptions for TSA PreCheck members, children under 12, and adults 75 and older.

Airports in South Africa may sometimes require shoe removal

It is well known that travellers passing through security checkpoints at any American airport are required to remove their shoes. This includes all types of shoes, from boots to sandals and heels. However, this rule does not extend to passengers over 75, children under 12, or those with a TSA PreCheck membership. The shoe removal policy in the US can be attributed to Richard Reid, also known as the "shoe bomber," who attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami in 2001.

In other parts of the world, shoe removal policies vary significantly. For example, in Canada, passengers enrolled in the Canadian Air Transport Authority (CATSA) Verified Traveller Program are exempt from removing their shoes, similar to TSA PreCheck in the US. On the other hand, at Edmonton International Airport, steel-toed boots or shoes with metal in their heels must be taken off.

In Europe, the European Union has a unified set of security guidelines that do not mandate shoe removal. Still, individual countries and airports may have different measures. For instance, airports in Barcelona (Spain), Heathrow (UK), and Dublin (Ireland) typically require passengers to remove their shoes, especially if they contain metal or have a boot-like shape.

In South Africa, major international airports like O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg may sometimes require shoe removal, but it is not a consistent practice. This inconsistency is also observed in other African countries, where security procedures rarely involve shoe removal. Therefore, if you're travelling through South African airports, it's advisable to be prepared for potential shoe removal, although it may not always be necessary.

In summary, while the US has a stringent shoe removal policy at its airports, the rest of the world, including South Africa, exhibits varying degrees of enforcement, with some countries rarely requiring it at all. It's always a good idea to stay informed about the specific security procedures of the airports you'll be travelling through to ensure a smooth journey.

Some airports in Europe require shoe removal

The European Union has a unified set of security guidelines that do not require removing shoes. However, individual countries, airports, and flights in the EU may have different, case-by-case measures. For example, some airports in Europe, such as Amsterdam's Schiphol, require passengers to remove their shoes to clear security. In Germany, a mother travelling with five children was asked by her eldest child if they needed to take off their shoes, to which she replied 'yes'. However, this is not a requirement in German airports.

In the UK, only certain shoes, such as boots or bulky shoes, need to be removed. Heathrow Airport in the UK is known for its shoes-off protocol. Similarly, Dublin Airport in Ireland has a mandatory shoe removal policy if travelling to the USA. Barcelona Airport in Spain also requires passengers to remove their shoes.

The shoe removal protocols are influenced by each country's security and threat assessments, which vary from place to place. The US, in particular, is known for its strict shoe removal policies at airport security, which came into effect after Richard Reid, the "shoe bomber," attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami in 2001. As a result, the US often requires additional security measures at departure airports for flights entering the country.

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