Missing scissors at Japanese airport leave passengers stranded as flights cancelled, delayed

A missing pair of scissors caused 36 flights to be cancelled and another 201 to be delayed at one of Japan’s biggest airports over the weekend.

Staff at a store near the boarding gates at the New Chitose Airport reported the missing item Saturday morning, according to the airport’s operator, Hokkaido Airports Co. Ltd.

As a result, officials temporarily suspend all flights, closed security checkpoints and conducted security inspections. Passengers who had previously been screened also had to be re-screened.

According to BBC News, the scissors were found in the same store the next day. Security checks and flights, however, eventually resumed the same day the scissors went missing.

“This incident occurred due to insufficient management by the store tenant,” the release from Hokkaido Airports Co. Ltd said. “We are committed to investigating this incident, determining its cause, and preventing its recurrence.”

According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, the investigation will continue since the scissors have to be taken out of a locked storage locker every time they are used.

Among the delayed passengers was Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet, which was unable to perform at the Rising Sun music festival in Hokkaido because its flight was cancelled, reported NBC News.

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