Up to 6,000 People Forced to Spend Two Nights at Airport in Snow-Bound Hokkaido

Around 6,000 people were forced to stay at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido for two nights since Thursday due to heavy snowfall and squall wind, local media reported on Saturday.

Singaporeans stuck in Hokkaido airport since Thursday due to snow https://t.co/xW8hrgueM3 pic.twitter.com/UcqIvEUtbn

— The Straits Times (@STcom) December 24, 2016

A total of 287 flights were suspended on Friday. Bad weather caused ground transport to stop as well, with up to 262 electric trains canceling their routes. Having no means to go home or even check into a hotel, passengers were forced to spend two nights at the airport.

思った以上に積もってるけど、滑走路の除雪車のランプもひっきりなしに動いてる #新千歳空港 pic.twitter.com/RzPJbS0ewL

— フサイっち@12/23新千歳空港足止め (@fusaicchi) December 23, 2016

On top of that, there was a shortage of warm blankets at the airport, with only 4,000 blankets available. The authorities had to turn to nearby Self-Defense Force bases for help.

新千歳空港やばいです。
長蛇の列。おとといからの泊まり込み。
お疲れ様ですとしか言いようがない(;-;)#新千歳空港 pic.twitter.com/fT3iGevlcr

— チャミ (@happybreak) December 24, 2016

Air traffic was resumed on Saturday morning. To resume railway traffic, local authorities will need more time to clear snow from train tracks.

Never miss a story again — sign up to our Telegram channel and we'll keep you up to speed!