Heavy snow forced airlines to cancel 83 flights -- nearly half of all those scheduled -- at Shin-Chitose airport near Sapporo on Wednesday as of 5:10 p.m., airport officials said.

The runways were closed intermittently to clear snow, affecting 72 other flights, with some services delayed more than seven hours, according to the officials.

Snow started falling early Wednesday, and the airport authorities closed the two runways for 31/2 hours beginning at 5 a.m.

Airport workers cleared snow and sprayed anti-icing agents on the runways all day, but around 40 cm of snow had piled up by the evening, the officials said.

Throughout the day, the departure lobby was filled with passengers waiting to board, while airline personnel scurried to find alternative flights. or hotel accommodations for passengers whose flights were canceled.