Missing airport scissors causes cancellation of 36 flights

Hundreds of passengers stranded due to missing scissors.

A significant disruption occurred at Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport over the weekend when a pair of scissors went missing from a store near the boarding gates, leading to the cancellation of 36 flights and the delay of 201 others. This incident took place at one of Japan’s busiest airports, causing chaos and confusion among passengers.

On Saturday morning, security checks at the airport’s domestic terminal were suspended for about two hours, resulting in hundreds of passengers being stranded. The suspension led to massive queues as passengers who had already passed through security were required to undergo the checks again. The missing scissors created a major bottleneck, affecting the travel plans of many people who were likely heading home after Japan’s annual Bon holiday.

Despite an extensive search on Saturday, the scissors were not found immediately, but security checks and flights eventually resumed later that day. On Monday, Hokkaido Airport, the operator of New Chitose, announced that the missing scissors had been found by a store worker the following day. The airport authorities waited to confirm the discovery before making any announcements to ensure that the scissors were indeed the ones that had gone missing.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has called for a thorough investigation to understand how the scissors went missing and to prevent a similar incident in the future. The airport operator acknowledged that the situation arose due to inadequate storage and management systems at the store. They also recognised the potential security risks, stating, “We are aware that this could have been linked to hijacking or terrorism, and we will work to ensure better management practices moving forward.”

Passengers who experienced the delays expressed a mixture of frustration and understanding. One traveller remarked that there was little choice but to wait, though they hoped that such incidents would be handled with more caution in the future. Another commented on the growing number of concerns travellers face, noting, “So many things to worry about these days… it never ends. And I don’t feel safe until I get home.”

Despite the inconvenience, the airport’s handling of the situation received praise on social media. Users on the platform X lauded the airport’s response, with some stating that it reaffirmed their confidence in Japanese air safety. One user commented, “This incident showcased the safety of Japanese aviation and the thoroughness of its manuals!” Another highlighted the importance of the incident, saying it made them realise once again that New Chitose Airport is a safe place to travel through.

New Chitose Airport is a crucial hub in Japan, handling one of the busiest domestic air routes in the world, connecting Tokyo and Sapporo. In 2022, over 15 million passengers passed through this airport, underlining its significance in the country’s aviation network.