How a missing pair of scissors caused chaos at one of Japan's biggest airports
Travel delays and plane cancellations can be caused by a number of different reasons, whether it be mechanical, weather or by late-running travellers.
But on Saturday one Japanese airport experienced a more unusual interruption, all thanks to a pair of missing scissors.
A worker at a store near the departure gates at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, the country's fifth-biggest hub, reported that they couldn't find the scissors.
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Chitose Airport in Hokkaido is the country's fifth-biggest hub. Getty
It resulted in security closing checks for two hours and having all of the passengers rescreened. What made it worse was the airport was busy thanks to a holiday weekend.
In total 36 flights were cancelled and 201 others delayed, reported Japanese broadcaster NHK.
The missing scissors were eventually found later in the store.
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An airport spokesperson blamed "insufficient storage and management systems at the store".
"We are aware that this is also an incident that could be linked to hijacking or terrorism, and will once again work to ensure thorough management awareness," reported the BBC.
An investigation has been launched.
An aerial shot of New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, Japan. Kyodo News/Getty Images Kyodo News/Getty Images
According to CNN, among those affected by the security issues was Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet, which missed its performance at the annual Rising Sun music festival in Hokkaido due to a flight cancellation.
"We will definitely get our revenge!!" the band said in a statement posted on the event's website, while the festival itself announced it would not be offering ticket refunds.
Other travellers shared their thoughts online.
"I feel like crying because my flight was cancelled due to someone losing a pair of scissors," one flier wrote on X.
Still, others appreciated the airport taking the possible scissor theft seriously.
"As a passenger, I'm grateful that they take such thorough measures to ensure safety," another person posted.
