Traffic at one of Japan’s busiest airports was recently brought to a standstill when a pair of scissors went missing.
Concerns over the scissors – which had been used in a shop in the waiting area of a domestic flight – resulted in an hours-long security check at New Chitose Airport (CTS), which serves the Sapporo area on the northern island of Hokkaido.
According to the airport, 36 flights were canceled and another 201 flights were delayed on August 17 during the search.
There were concerns that a potential terrorist had taken the scissors and used them as a weapon on board a flight. Eventually, the airport said, the tools were found and flights were able to resume.
“We are aware that the incident occurred due to a lack of proper usage, storage and management systems by the shop users,” New Chitose Airport operators said in a statement.
“We will investigate this incident, determine the cause and prevent recurrence. We will also confirm that this incident may be linked to hijackings and terrorist attacks, and we will ensure that all airport staff are fully aware of the importance of management.”
One of the groups affected by the security issues was Japanese rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet, who missed their performance at the annual Rising Sun music festival in Hokkaido due to a cancelled flight.
“We will definitely take revenge!!” the band said in a proposition on the event’s website, while the festival itself announced that there would be no refunds on tickets.
Many travelers expressed their frustrations online.
“I feel like crying because my flight got cancelled because someone lost a pair of scissors,” wrote one flyer on X.
“Due to this incident, the flight I was supposed to take was cancelled and now my family reunion that I was looking forward to has been cut short. It’s a huge disappointment,” wrote another.
However, others agreed that the airport was taking the possible scissor theft seriously.
“As a passenger, I am grateful that they are taking such thorough measures to ensure safety,” posted one X user.
Editor’s Note: CNN’s Yumi Asada contributed reporting.
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