Shoe removal returns at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — Air travelers departing for overseas destinations are again required to take off their shoes for security inspection at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), reviving the more than two decades old policy prompted by a failed terror attack on a passenger aircraft, according to the Office of Transportation Security (OTS).

The “mandatory shoe removal policy,” revived last July 10, is part of the enhanced security arrangement at all NAIA terminals, said OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez.

The global policy dates back to December 2001 in the aftermath of an attempt by a terrorist to detonate a homemade bomb hidden in his shoes while he was on board an American Airlines flight to Miami from Paris.

Alert crewmembers and passengers saw the terrorist struggling to detonate the explosive device and promptly tackled him.

The plane was diverted to Logan International Airport in Boston and where police arrested the terrorist.

Marquez said that on Dec. 1, 2022, all but one security X-ray machines at the NAIA Terminal 1 were removed to give enough room for departing travelers and their luggage during security checks.

“There will be only one security check and that is at the final check right after the immigration area where high-tech X-ray machines, body scanners and metal detectors are in place to ensure all passengers are well screened,” Marquez added.

By removing most of the X-ray machines, the OTS was addressing concerns from some travelers – as relayed by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) management – regarding “too much security check at NAIA.”

The MIAA management said steps should be taken to ensure arriving and departing passengers experience less stress without compromising security at the country’s international airports.

MIAA and the Airport Security Committee (ASC), in consultation with airline representatives and various stakeholders including the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup), unanimously approved in December last year fewer X-Ray security checks at the NAIA but a bigger number of armed personnel and foot patrol with K-9 bomb and drug sniffing dogs at the terminal lobby.

Banned materials would be confiscated right at the check-in counters to avoid or minimize delays in the processing of travel papers.