The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is concluding plans to end its security screening mandating travellers to remove their shoes before boarding flights across airports in the country. 

According to CBS News, two TSA sources confirmed on Monday, stating that the process has been distributed across phases, with Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Fort Lauderdale International Airport listed among the first set of airports ending no-shoes requirements starting from Sunday. 

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Portland International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina are also part of the airports ditching the policy in the first phase. 

“TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance passenger experience and our strong security posture,” a TSA spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday. “Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.”

Travellers with TSA PreCheck, a biometric security system that allows passengers to skip some steps during check-ins, were already exempted from the mandatory no-shoes requirement, but the new regulations will end it for everyone.

The mandatory shoe removal rule has been implemented by TSA since 2006 after a passenger tried to ignite explosives in his shoes on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami in December 2001.