Tourists’ shopping mission closes airport
Three tourists who went in search of duty-free shopping have sparked a security alert, forcing a Japanese airport to shut security gates and delay flights.
Related: Passenger opens emergency exit for 'fresh air'
According to eGlobal, the three Chinese tourists were at Naha Airport in Okinawa and while waiting for a connecting flight to Tokyo, they decided to look for shops.
Unfortunately, they ended up in the baggage reclaim area and departure gate without having gone through security, setting off alarms and forcing 6300 passengers to repeat their security checks.
Related: Passenger says exit door ‘not important’
Five flights were grounded and 25 flights were delayed, while staff had to climb on desks and use megaphones to communicate with the growing crowd, eGlobal reported.
According to the South China Morning Post, the incident has started a debate on social media, with some calling the women a national embarrassment.
Related: Family forced to leave flight over seatbelt dispute
It is the latest unusual incident involving Chinese travellers.
In December, Chinese state-run media branded four plane passengers “barbarians” after they threw hot water and noodles on a flight attendant and threatened to blow up the plane.
Related: Mid-air brawl over crying baby
That same month, a passenger on a plane in Hangzhou yanked open the emergency door for “fresh air” just before takeoff and deployed the emergency slide.
And earlier this year, another passenger opened a plane’s emergency exit door while waiting on the tarmac at China’s Nanjing Lukou International Airport, telling crew that the door was “not important”.
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