Scissors Misplacement Causes Major Disruptions at Japanese Airport

Over the weekend, a pair of misplaced scissors led to significant disruptions at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, Japan. The incident resulted in the cancellation of 36 flights and delays for 201 others. The commotion began when the scissors went missing from a store located near the boarding gates.

On Saturday morning, security screenings at the domestic terminal were halted for approximately two hours. This disruption left hundreds of passengers stranded and caused extensive bottlenecks and long queues in the departure lounge as travelers had to go through security checks again.

Despite efforts to locate the missing scissors, they were not found on the day of the incident. However, operations eventually resumed later that day. The scissors were ultimately discovered by a store employee on Sunday. Hokkaido Airport, which manages New Chitose, confirmed the discovery and announced it the following Monday after verifying that the scissors matched the description of the missing item.

The timing of the disruption was particularly inconvenient, as many travelers were returning home after Japan’s annual Bon holiday. One passenger expressed frustration, noting, “I don’t think we have any choice but to wait. But I do hope they are a bit more careful about it.” Another traveler voiced concerns about the growing list of worries and emphasized feeling unsafe until reaching home.

In response to the incident, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has requested Hokkaido Airports to conduct a thorough investigation and implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. Hokkaido Airport acknowledged the issue, attributing it to inadequate storage and management systems at the store. They also emphasized that the incident had potential links to hijacking or terrorism, underscoring the need for enhanced management and security protocols.

The airport’s handling of the situation drew praise on social media platforms. Many users commended the airport’s swift response and thorough approach, which they felt demonstrated the high safety standards of Japanese aviation. “This incident showcased the safety of Japanese aviation and the thoroughness of its manuals!” wrote one user on X. Another remarked, “It made me realize once again that New Chitose Airport is a safe airport to use.”

New Chitose Airport is a major hub in Japan, known for its significant traffic between Tokyo and Sapporo, one of the world’s busiest domestic air routes. According to aviation analytics firm OAG, the airport served over 15 million passengers in 2022.