Flights at Japan Airport Disrupted Due to Missing Pair of Scissors
JAPAN – The New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido faced significant disruptions on August 17, 2024, due to a missing pair of scissors.
The issue arose when a customer’s scissors were misplaced, leading to a security alert. This resulted in the cancellation of 36 flights and delays for 201 others, affecting hundreds of passengers.
The concern was that the missing scissors might have been taken by a potential terrorist and used as a weapon. This led to a prolonged investigation and delay in resuming airport operations. The scissors were eventually found to have been used in a shop within the departure waiting area. Airport staff admitted to negligence in handling the situation and acknowledged that proper usage, storage, and management systems were lacking.
New Chitose Airport operators acknowledged that the incident was caused by inadequate usage, storage, and management systems by store users. They pledged to investigate, address the issue, and prevent future occurrences. They also emphasized that the incident’s potential link to hijacking and terrorist attacks underscores the need for heightened management awareness among airport personnel.
The disruption had a wide-reaching impact. Notably, the Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet had to cancel their scheduled concert due to the delays and cancellations caused by the scissors incident. They issued a public apology on their website, explaining that the security issues at the airport prevented them from arriving on time. Fans were informed that there would be no refunds for the canceled performance tickets.
Many passengers voiced frustration online over the disruptions, with some lamenting missed family reunions and canceled flights. However, others appreciated the airport’s focus on safety, with one passenger expressing gratitude for the thorough safety measures.