Scissors Misplacement Disrupts New Chitose Airport

New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, Japan, experienced significant disruptions on August 17, 2024, when a pair of scissors went missing from a store past the security checkpoint, causing 36 flight cancellations and 201 delays. Security checks were halted for two hours, and passengers who had already cleared security had to go through the process again. The missing scissors were found the next day in the same store but were not announced until confirmed. The incident occurred during Japan's busy Obon holiday, exacerbating the impact on travelers. The airport operator acknowledged insufficient storage and management systems and emphasized the potential threat of hijacking or terrorism. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism has called for an investigation to prevent future occurrences.