WASHINGTON, July 8, 2025 – The following is attributable to Nicholas E. Calio, President and CEO of Airlines for America (A4A):

We applaud Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for her leadership and vision to reexamine the 20-year-old shoe screening requirement. This policy change will go a long way in facilitating smooth, seamless and secure travel for passengers and is welcome news to the millions of people who fly every day.

Making security decisions that are informed by risk assessments and based on leveraging advanced technologies is a commonsense approach to policy change. Promoting innovation and new procedures is critical during this time of record air travel and as our nation prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

We are grateful for the longstanding, continued partnership with the TSA and the men and women who work the frontlines to keep passengers, crewmembers and cargo safe. The TSA recently recorded its busiest day in the agency’s history, screening nearly 3.1 million people on June 22, and seven of the ten busiest days in the agency’s history have now occurred in 2025.

Every day, U.S. airlines fly more than 27,000 flights, transporting 2.7 million passengers and 61,000 tons of cargo around the world.