Traffic at New Chitose Airport, one of Japan’s busiest airports, was halted recently after a pair of scissors went missing, leading to an extensive security search.
The scissors, used in a store in the airport’s departure area, sparked fears of a potential terrorist threat, as they could have been used as a weapon on board a flight.
As a result, 36 flights were canceled, and 201 others were delayed on August 17, causing major disruptions.
After hours of searching, the scissors were found, and flights were allowed to resume. The airport’s operators acknowledged that the incident occurred due to improper management of the tools and pledged to improve procedures to prevent future issues.
The delays affected many, including the Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet, who missed their performance at the Rising Sun music festival.
Travelers expressed frustration online, but some appreciated the thorough safety measures taken by the airport.
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