Missing scissors were found in the restricted zone of Naha Airport’s domestic terminal checkpoint, so the checkpoint closed from 6 a.m. to 7:53 a.m., according to the transport ministry’s Naha Airport office. This short closure shows how a small item can affect many travellers.

The closure mainly affected Japan Airlines passengers, and by 4 p.m. the Japanese newspaper Daily Sports reported that 26 flights were delayed and two Ryukyu Air Commuter flights were cancelled. Some delays lasted more than two hours, partly because of other factors.

Japanese broadcaster TBS reported that the scissors belonged to a cleaning contractor’s kit that was being used in the restricted zone. Ryukyu Broadcasting Corporation said the scare was caused by inadequate checks by security staff.

Similar incidents have happened before. Ryukyu Shimpo reported that a utility knife found in an ANA lounge in March 2023 forced all three Naha checkpoints to close for about 90 minutes, affecting 50 flights. CNN reported that missing scissors at New Chitose Airport in August 2024 led to 36 flight cancellations and 201 delays.