An All Nippon Airways computer system went down for about 2 1/2 hours Friday morning, forcing the cancellation of 20 domestic flights and delays across the country, ANA officials said.
The computer glitch occurred at around 4:50 a.m. on the first day of a three-day weekend, halting a system that manages flight schedules, nationwide cargo transport and check-ins at Tokyo's Haneda airport, they said.
Although the system returned to normal at 7:15 a.m., the problem canceled 20 domestic flights, mainly from Haneda airport, and delayed flights nationwide, the officials said.
The scale of the disruption was made worse by stricter screening measures that were introduced following the U.S. attack on Iraq the previous day.
In addition, airports were congested as the country began a three-day weekend. Friday was Vernal Equinox Day, a national holiday.
Odor delays flight
OSAKA -- Northwest Airlines reported an strange odor inside a plane about take off Thursday night from Kansai International Airport. Police said Friday they were unable to detect any abnormalities. Some passengers complained of nausea but they all recovered quickly.
Passengers told police that they detected what smelled like antiseptic solution after the air conditioning was turned on.
The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 9 p.m. Thursday, was rescheduled to leave for Honolulu at 4:30 p.m. Friday.