A wandering turtle forced an&nbsp;airport in Tokyo to temporarily suspend its operations after it was spotted on the runway by a pilot who was about to take off.

After the pilot informed the traffic controllers, the runway was shut down for 12 minutes on Friday causing a delay for five flights as the airport staff scrambled to catch the creature.

The turtle, said to be measuring about 30 centimetres in length and weighing over 2 kilograms, was walking across the runway, Narita International Airport Corporation said.

Sometimes, runways are forced to close because of aircraft parts or birds, but it’s rare to find small animals, the company reportedly said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-royal-mint-launches-gold-bar-featuring-lakshmi-hindu-goddess-of-wealth-416553">UK Royal Mint launches gold bar featuring Lakshmi, Hindu Goddess of wealth</a>

Narita officials believe the creature may have come from the airport’s retention pond, located about 100 metres from the runway.

“The turtle might have crawled out of the reservoir near the runway to sunbathe since the weather has been warm the past few days,” an airport official was quoted as saying.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/smoking-weed-your-phone-can-detect-if-youre-high-on-marijuana-416556">Smoking weed? Your phone can detect if you’re high on marijuana</a>

The airport authorities said they will find out what type of turtle it is to decide whether it can be placed in a natural habitat.

Soon after the turtle’s safe capture, ANA’s A380 superjumbo jet “Flying Honu,” popularly known as a flying sea turtle, took off.

“In Hawaii, sea turtles are believed to bring good luck. It might be a sign of a bright future,” an ANA official said in a statement. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A wandering turtle forced an airport in Tokyo to temporarily suspend its operations after it was spotted on the runway by a pilot who was about to take off. After the pilot informed the traffic controllers, the runway was shut down for 12 minutes on Friday causing a delay for five flights as the airport staff scrambled to catch the creature.

A wandering turtle forced an airport in Tokyo to temporarily suspend its operations after it was spotted on the runway by a pilot who was about to take off. After the pilot informed the traffic controllers, the runway was shut down for 12 minutes on Friday causing a delay for five flights as the airport staff scrambled to catch the creature. The turtle, said to be measuring about 30 centimetres in length and weighing over 2 kilograms, was walking across the runway, Narita International Airport Corporation said. Sometimes, runways are forced to close because of aircraft parts or birds, but it’s rare to find small animals, the company reportedly said. Also read | UK Royal Mint launches gold bar featuring Lakshmi, Hindu Goddess of wealth Narita officials believe the creature may have come from the airport’s retention pond, located about 100 metres from the runway. “The turtle might have crawled out of the reservoir near the runway to sunbathe since the weather has been warm the past few days,” an airport official was quoted as saying. Also read | Smoking weed? Your phone can detect if you’re high on marijuana The airport authorities said they will find out what type of turtle it is to decide whether it can be placed in a natural habitat. Soon after the turtle’s safe capture, ANA’s A380 superjumbo jet “Flying Honu,” popularly known as a flying sea turtle, took off. “In Hawaii, sea turtles are believed to bring good luck. It might be a sign of a bright future,” an ANA official said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Wandering turtle on runway causes delay at Tokyo airport

Around 17,000 passengers were stranded overnight at Tokyo's Narita Airport, an official said Tuesday, after it took a direct hit from a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/powerful-typhoon-faxai-pummels-tokyo-region-248483">powerful typhoon</a> that caused transport chaos throughout the capital.

The typhoon caused more than 100 flights to be scrapped and road and rail links to the airport were also badly affected, leaving many with no transport options to the city 70 kilometers (45 miles) to the west.

Airport spokesman Kei Miyahara told AFP that a total of 16,900 were stuck at the airport at midnight.

"Passengers are now beginning to go home or to their final destinations as buses and trains have resumed operations," Miyahara said early Tuesday.

Narita Airport, located in Chiba to the east of Tokyo, was right in the line of fire of Typhoon Faxai, which brought winds of up to 207 kilometers (129 miles) per hour.

Suburban trains throughout the huge Tokyo metropolitan area were not reopened until 8 am on Monday as officials checked for debris and damage. This sparked pandemonium during the notoriously busy morning commute.

The chaos came as Japan is preparing to host the Rugby World Cup later this month and with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics just around the corner.

There was a "minor" disruption to some teams' schedules, admitted a Rugby World Cup spokesman, with Australia's arrival delayed and the England team, stuck for hours at the airport.

They passed the time in a particularly English way by playing cricket.

The airport said it delivered 2,000 bottles of water, 19,000 bags of crackers and 18,000 bedrolls to stranded passengers.

"We delivered information in English and Japanese on digital signs, and made announcements in four languages" including Chinese and Korean, said Miyahara.

However, there was mass frustration and passengers complained about a lack of information and long queues for taxis.

The airport operator will review their experiences and draw lessons later, Miyahara said.

Around 17,000 passengers were stranded overnight at Tokyo's Narita Airport, an official said Tuesday, after it took a direct hit from a powerful typhoon that caused transport chaos throughout the capital.

Around 17,000 passengers were stranded overnight at Tokyo's Narita Airport, an official said Tuesday, after it took a direct hit from a powerful typhoon that caused transport chaos throughout the capital. The typhoon caused more than 100 flights to be scrapped and road and rail links to the airport were also badly affected, leaving many with no transport options to the city 70 kilometers (45 miles) to the west. Airport spokesman Kei Miyahara told AFP that a total of 16,900 were stuck at the airport at midnight. "Passengers are now beginning to go home or to their final destinations as buses and trains have resumed operations," Miyahara said early Tuesday. Narita Airport, located in Chiba to the east of Tokyo, was right in the line of fire of Typhoon Faxai, which brought winds of up to 207 kilometers (129 miles) per hour. Suburban trains throughout the huge Tokyo metropolitan area were not reopened until 8 am on Monday as officials checked for debris and damage. This sparked pandemonium during the notoriously busy morning commute. The chaos came as Japan is preparing to host the Rugby World Cup later this month and with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics just around the corner. There was a "minor" disruption to some teams' schedules, admitted a Rugby World Cup spokesman, with Australia's arrival delayed and the England team, stuck for hours at the airport. They passed the time in a particularly English way by playing cricket. The airport said it delivered 2,000 bottles of water, 19,000 bags of crackers and 18,000 bedrolls to stranded passengers. "We delivered information in English and Japanese on digital signs, and made announcements in four languages" including Chinese and Korean, said Miyahara. However, there was mass frustration and passengers complained about a lack of information and long queues for taxis. The airport operator will review their experiences and draw lessons later, Miyahara said.

Nearly 17,000 passengers stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport as Typhoon Faxai hits

narita-airport

Narita Airport, News on Narita Airport, stories on Narita Airport, articles on Narita Airport, Narita Airport stories at Wion, Narita Airport news, Narita Airport latest news

narita airport

Wandering turtle on runway causes delay at Tokyo airport

Nearly 17,000 passengers stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport as Typhoon Faxai hits