The airport, Japan’s second busiest, is located in Chitose on the northern island of Hokkaido. It is known for its strict safety and operating protocols. For safety reasons, retail outlets at the airport are required to store scissors in designated lockers. Scissors are accessed by staff when needed and must be returned immediately after use.
However, on Saturday, a retail outlet at the airport reported that a pair of scissors had not been located. The lack of scissors prompted a search which resulted in the suspension of security checks for passengers arriving at the airport for approximately two hours. This lapse in security operations led to severe congestion, with queues stretching for hours and passengers being refused entry.
The situation quickly escalated as airport authorities scrambled to determine whether the scissors had been stolen maliciously. The disruption caused by the incident extended beyond airport operations, with 36 flights cancelled and more than 200 delayed. The disruption was compounded by the Obon festival, a significant period in Japan when many people travel to honour their ancestors and spend time with family.
The missing scissors were eventually found in the same store from which they had disappeared. Fortunately, they were not stolen, but verifying their recovery took a longer time.
The airport closure affected travelers and even led to the cancellation of performances at a nearby music festival.
This unusual incident highlights how simple human carelessness can cause significant disruptions, far beyond what might be expected from a logistical or high-tech failure.
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