‘We smelled burning rubber’: Singaporeans recount experience at Tokyo airport after Japan Airlines collision

As more people arrived in the airport, there were snaking lines to purchase food and for mobile phone charging stations, she added.

“There was some anxiety because we had no idea if the delay was going to be days-long or hours-long,” said one passenger.

Mrs Bay said: “Later, when boarding was permitted, there were a lot of queues to check in and for security checks of hand luggage en masse. We had to stay together and try to explain in English to very stressed-out airport staff.”  

Travellers also expressed grief over those affected in the collision, especially those in the Coast Guard jet who lost their lives.

“Although there were some delays, that did not really affect me too much and I was actually worried about the people on the (two) planes,” said Mr Lim.