Sydney-bound Qantas passengers forced to sleep at airport in Japan

Qantas passengers were forced to sleep on the floor at an airport outside of Tokyo after their flight was delayed due to a mechanical failure.

The flight from Narita to Sydney was unable to depart due to a curfew at the airport after crews resolved a mechanical issue, a spokesperson for Qantas said.

As many as 371 passengers were believed to have been stranded.

Some were forced to sleep at the airport when the airline couldn’t relocate all of the passengers.

"We apologise sincerely to passengers affected by the delay and greatly appreciate their patience, particularly at this time of year when many people are travelling for the holiday season," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"We are continuing to work to find accommodation for all passengers overnight however at this busy time of year only a small number of rooms are available in nearby hotels.

"We have staff on the ground at Narita airport assisting passengers and providing food, drinks and sleeping bags for those who could not be accommodated in hotels.'

The national carrier is this morning working to secure rooms for passengers affected by the delay. On Twitter, one passenger tweeted a photo at the airport of her family in sleeping bags.

The flight is due to leave Narita tonight and arrive in Sydney at 7am tomorrow.