16-7-2023 (MANILA) The mandatory shoe removal policy has been reinstated at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila as part of enhanced security measures, according to the Office of Transportation Security (OTS).
The decision to revive the policy, which requires air travelers departing for overseas destinations to remove their shoes for security inspection, was made in light of global security protocols. The practice was first implemented in December 2001 after a failed terror attack on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami, where a passenger attempted to detonate a homemade bomb concealed in his shoes.
OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez confirmed that the policy was reintroduced on July 10, 2023. As part of the enhanced security arrangement at all NAIA terminals, passengers will undergo thorough screening at the final check after the immigration area. High-tech X-ray machines, body scanners, and metal detectors will be used to ensure comprehensive screening.
To address concerns raised by travelers regarding excessive security checks at NAIA, most of the X-ray machines were removed from Terminal 1 on December 1, 2022. This was done to provide more space for departing passengers and their luggage during the security checks. The objective is to streamline the process while maintaining stringent security standards.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) management, in consultation with the Airport Security Committee (ASC) and other stakeholders, including the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup), approved the reduction in X-ray security checks. Instead, there will be an increased presence of armed personnel and foot patrols with K-9 bomb and drug sniffing dogs in the terminal lobby. Banned materials will be confiscated at the check-in counters to minimize delays in the processing of travel documents.
