Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Flights at New Chitose airports were halted recently when a pair of scissors went missing. Multiple security checks were conducted, resulting in a delayed flight at one of Japan’s busiest airports, which serves the Sapporo area on the northern island of Hokkaido.
It was confirmed by the Hokkaido airport’s management that all domestic flights were grounded due to suspended security checks. According to the report, the security checks were halted for about two hours. It leads to the cancellation of 36 flights and the delay of 201 other flights, causing thousands of travelers to be stranded.
A pair of scissors was missing from a store in the departure lounge of a domestic flight, raising concerns that they may have been taken and used as a weapon on the plane by a potential terrorist. Furthermore, an investigation has been requested by the ministry of land, infrastructure, transport, and tourism to prevent future occurrences.
“We will investigate this incident, determine its cause, and prevent its recurrence. We will also reaffirm that this incident could relate to hijacking and terrorist attacks, and we will ensure that all airport personnel are fully aware of the importance of management.”
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The international airport emphasized the importance of safety protocols, acknowledging that inadequate storage and management are the cause of the problem.
“We are aware that the incident occurred due to the lack of proper usage, storage, and management systems by the store users,” New Chitose Airport’s operators said in a statement.
The pair of scissors was found the next day in the same store by a worker, but the airport only announced their recovery on Monday after verifying they were indeed the lost pair.
Affected travelers vent their anger online
Many travelers who got their flight delayed or cancelled went online and expressed their frustration. One of them is the Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet, which was also affected by the issues. Flight cancellations caused the band to sadly miss its performance at the annual Rising Sun music festival in Hokkaido.
“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 affected travelers are also posting on their social media regarding these issues.
“I feel like crying because my flight was canceled due to someone losing a pair of scissors,” one flier wrote on X.
“Because of this incident, the flight I was supposed to take was canceled, and now my reunion with my family, which I was looking forward to has been shortened. It’s a big disappointment,” wrote another.
Despite all the issues regarding the delayed and canceled flight, several social media users complimented the airport’s handling of the situation, praising the effectiveness of Japan’s aviation safety measures.
“As a passenger, I’m grateful that they take such thorough measures to ensure safety,” one X user posted.
(Raidi/Agung)
