Over 20 flights affected at Naha after scissors feared lost

This week's news · Checked 2026-10-16

What happened. On Tuesday 13 October 2026, one of the three security checkpoints at the domestic terminal of Naha Airport (Okinawa) was closed from 6:00 until just before 8:00 — about two hours — after a pair of scissors belonging to cleaning staff was feared left in the area beyond the checkpoint. The scissors were eventually found somewhere else. According to the transport ministry's airport office (Kyodo report, carried by The Star on 13 Oct 2026), more than 20 flights were delayed or cancelled, mostly Japan Airlines and its group carriers.

What it means for you. In Japan a single missing sharp object is enough to stop a checkpoint until it is found — a similar case at Naha in April 2013 delayed more than 100 flights (Ryukyu Shimpo, 3 April 2013). If you connect at Naha to Ishigaki or Miyako, or take an early domestic flight, allow more time than usual for screening and install the JAL or ANA app for delay notices. The report only mentions the domestic terminal; international flights are not mentioned.

What to do now. If your Okinawa trip has a connecting flight, keep at least 2 hours between flights and buy them on one ticket so the connection is protected if the first leg is late: KL → Okinawa (Naha) flights on Trip.com (price depends on dates). The prayer room at Naha Airport (4F) and halal food: see Okinawa for Muslim families. Affiliate links may be used; your price does not change.