Major security change at US airports is about to happen for the first time in nearly 20 years

Airport rules and regulations are to receive a huge shake-up in the coming weeks, with the installation of a somewhat easier security process.

The change comes after almost 20 years of lengthy queues, electricals flying, 100ml liquids spilling, belts being whipped off, jewellery getting left behind in trays and scanners beeping away.

And whilst the process won't remove all of these ball-aches, it will hopefully speed lines up ever so slightly.

Here it goes - no longer will travellers between the ages of 12 and 75 be asked by staff to remove their footwear to go through scanners, no matter what type of shoes they have on.

Beforehand, holiday-makers wearing heavy-soled footwear, like chunky trainers, thick heels and boots were asked to place their shoes into a tray and walk through the security scanners barefoot, or in their socks.

Passengers will no longer have to remove their shoes to go through scanners (Dennis Sigwe/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

This is because of the usage of backscatter x-rays at airports, that use low dose radiation for detecting suspicious metallic and non-metallic objects hidden inside footwear cavities.

Such precautions were implemented back in 2006, five years after 'shoe bomber' Richard Reid attempted to set off an explosive on a flight between Paris and Miami by hiding it in his shoe.

The only downside? The potential change is only applicable to airports in the United States.

It was originally proposed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), who hoped to abandon the security step in a bid to make the process easier for both airport staff and frequent fliers.

And the announcement of its official implantation was made by Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, on Tuesday (8 Jul), revealing that a pilot programme had proved there's really no need for travellers to remove their shoes anymore.

US travellers are now permitted to keep their shoes on (David McNew/Getty Images)

"I think most Americans will be very excited to see they will be able to keep their shoes on, and it will be a much more streamlined process," Noem explained, announcing the change during an appearance at Ronald Reagan Washington national airport in Arlington, Virginia.

She went on to emphasise, however, that some passengers may still be asked to remove their shoes, if airport staff 'think additional layers of screening are necessary'.

"We are very confident that we can continue to provide hospitality to folks and for American travelers and for those visiting our country, while maintaining the same standard of security for passengers and for our homeland," Noem went on to say.