People wait in long queues to check in and get new reservations in front of counters for Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) on the departures level of Haneda Airport in Tokyo on March 22, 2016. - AFP
TOKYO: A computer system malfunction forced Japan’s All Nippon Airways to cancel more than 100 domestic flights on Tuesday, affecting more than 15,000 travellers, the carrier said.
ANA ground staff at Tokyo’s Haneda airport apologised to stranded passengers, some who could be seen making mobile phone calls and sending text messages while children sat on the floor of the crowded terminal hall playing video games.
Passengers lined up patiently at counters to arrange new reservations for later flights as the airline’s reservation and check-in hall overflowed with inconvenienced travellers.
ANA said it spotted something wrong at about 8:20 am Tuesday (2320 GMT Monday) and though the problem was largely resolved about three hours later at least 116 domestic flights were cancelled.
The trouble stopped reservations, ticket sales and boarding procedures, affecting the travel plans of at least 15,200 passengers as of 1:40 pm (0440 GMT), said spokeswoman Natsuki Uota.
“The boarding procedure system recovered at 11:30 am, but we still have trouble with reservations and ticket sales,” Uota said early Tuesday afternoon.
The airline was investigating what caused the system to go down. - AFP
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
