Airport Shutdown in Japan over Missing Scissors

Air traffic at one of Japan’s busiest airports came to a halt recently due to the loss of a pair of scissors. 

The incident, which occurred at New Chitose Airport serving the Sapporo area on the northern island of Hokkaido, triggered a security alert that lasted several hours.

The scissors, which were reportedly used in a store located in the departure area for domestic flights, sparked concerns that they might be used as a weapon onboard an aircraft.

As a result, the airport canceled 36 flights and delayed 201 others on August 17, according to CNN.

The airport's management revealed that the scissors were eventually located, allowing operations to resume.

In a statement, New Chitose Airport officials acknowledged that the incident was caused by inadequate storage and management systems at the store where the scissors were used.

The airport authorities stated, "We recognize that the incident occurred due to a lack of proper use, storage, and management systems by the store's users. We will investigate the incident to determine its causes and prevent its recurrence. We will also reiterate the importance of effective management to our staff to avoid such issues in the future."

The disruption had significant consequences for many travelers. Among those affected was a Japanese rock band that missed their performance at the annual Rising Sun music festival in Hokkaido due to the flight cancellations.

Frustrated passengers took to social media to express their discontent. One user on X wrote, "I feel like crying because my flight was canceled due to someone losing a pair of scissors." Another shared, "Because of this incident, my flight was canceled, shortening my long-awaited family reunion. It's a huge disappointment."

Despite the inconveniences, some passengers appreciated the airport’s thorough approach to ensuring safety. One traveler commented, "As a passenger, I'm grateful that they took such comprehensive measures to ensure safety."