The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has announced the temporary suspension of mandatory footwear removal at airports nationwide effective 13 October 2023. This decision comes as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) undertakes a comprehensive review of the existing policy to enhance the passenger experience while maintaining a high level of security. Under the revised guidelines, passengers will only be required to remove their footwear when security alarms are triggered, during heightened security conditions, or as part of random screening processes. It’s important to note that redundant screening measures for US-bound flights will continue to be upheld by airlines.
The move represents a departure from the stringent footwear removal policy that was implemented on 10 July 2023, wherein passengers were required to remove their footwear as a standard procedure, regardless of the prevailing security condition level. The primary objective of the policy was to detect and deter the concealment of prohibited items within shoes, which could potentially be used for unlawful interference with air travel.
The decision to revise this policy was prompted by recent incidents that highlighted its efficacy and the inconvenience it posed to passengers. Last 10 August 2023 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, the OTS intercepted ammunition and a packet of suspected drugs concealed inside the shoes of a Chinese passenger. The passenger was subsequently turned over to law enforcement officers for the appropriate filing of charges.
On the same day, at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, another incident occurred when the OTS detected suspected marijuana hidden inside the shoe of a passenger bound for Surigao. The passenger was arrested, underscoring the policy’s role in identifying and preventing potential security threats.
As the OTS and the DOTr conduct a thorough review, passengers can look forward to a more streamlined and efficient security screening process while maintaining a commitment to ensuring safe air travel. The OTS emphasized that this temporary suspension of mandatory footwear removal is not a compromise on security but a step towards a more targeted and passenger-friendly approach.
Travelers are encouraged to stay informed about any updates in airport security procedures as changes are implemented and refined in the coming months. The overarching goal is to strike a balance between security measures and the comfort of passengers, and the results of this review will guide future airport security practices.