Japan sees flight delays due to airline system problems
TOKYO (AP) - Major Japanese airports were crammed with thousands of passengers unable to take domestic flights Tuesday due to problems with airline computer systems.
The delays began in the morning, with major Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways posting a notice on its website apologizing for delays and cancellations due to a "system malfunction."
The airline said Internet check-in, seat selection, new reservations, changes to reservations and payments were not available for domestic flights. It said it was trying to identify and fix the problem as soon as possible.
The problem appeared to be worst at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport, which is ANA's main local hub. There, dozens of flights were listed on the airport's flight update site as either delayed or canceled.
Four smaller airlines that use the same system - Starflyer, Airdo, Solaseed Air and Ibex Airlines - also were affected, the Kyodo News agency reported.
Tuesday morning ended a three-day holiday weekend in Japan, so there likely were more travelers than usual.
Television news channels showed airports packed with frustrated travelers.