A missing pair of scissors caused major disruptions at Japan’s New Chitose Airport (CTS) in Hokkaido on August 17, 2024.
A total of 36 flights were cancelled and 201 delayed because security checks were suspended for almost two hours after a pair of scissors went missing from a shop in the airport’s departure hall.
Passengers who had passed through security were instructed to re-line up and go through the formalities again.
The incident occurred during Japan’s Obon festival, a week-long holiday during which many Japanese traditionally leave their cities around August 10 and return on August 17 or 18.
On the day of the incident, All Nippon Airways (ANA) informed its customers by mail on X that delays and cancellations were to be expected due to security checks at the airport.
Hokkaido Airport told the BBC that the incident was due to “inadequate storage and management systems” at the store.
“We are aware that this incident is also one that could be linked to an aircraft hijacking or terrorism and will again work to ensure full awareness among management,” the airport said.
On August 19, 2024, two days after the incident, Hokkaido Airport announced that the scissors had been found in the same store from which they had disappeared.
