Public address systems at four North American airports broadcast unauthorized pro-Palestinian messages on Tuesday. These incidents disrupted operations and led to immediate investigations. The messages praised Hamas and criticized political figures.
Airports in Pennsylvania, British Columbia, and Ontario were affected. The breaches highlight ongoing cybersecurity challenges within the air travel industry.
Key Takeaways
- Unauthorized messages played at four airports.
- Incidents occurred in Pennsylvania, British Columbia, and Ontario.
- Messages were pro-Hamas and critical of political leaders.
- Cybersecurity investigations are underway at all affected locations.
- Airports faced operational disruptions, including PA system outages.
Airport Incidents Across North America
On Tuesday, unauthorized messages were broadcast through public address systems at several airports. Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania was one of the affected locations. Videos shared by passengers on social media confirmed the recordings.
Similar incidents were reported in Canada. Kelowna International Airport and Victoria International Airport in British Columbia experienced breaches. Windsor International Airport in Ontario also reported an event. Transport Canada, the regulatory body for Canadian airports, confirmed these occurrences.
The unauthorized recordings contained pro-Hamas messages. They also used expletives to criticize the Trump administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These broadcasts caused concern among travelers and airport staff.
Incident Snapshot
- Number of Airports Affected: 4
- Locations: Harrisburg (USA), Kelowna (Canada), Victoria (Canada), Windsor (Canada)
- Date: Tuesday
- Nature of Messages: Pro-Hamas, critical of political leaders
Official Responses and Investigations
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the incidents on social media. He stated,
"This is absolutely unacceptable and understandably scared travelers."Duffy added that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working with Harrisburg airport. Their goal is to understand the extent of the hack.
These breaches occur during a period of increased cyberattacks on the air travel sector. In June, a notable cybercriminal group reportedly accessed computer networks of several airlines in the US and Canada. This information comes from the FBI.
Last month, hackers disabled a passenger check-in system. This led to significant delays, flight cancellations, and disorder at airports across Europe. The recent incidents highlight a growing vulnerability in airport systems.
Harrisburg International Airport Details
At Harrisburg International Airport, an unauthorized user gained access to the PA system. This individual played an unauthorized recorded message. Airport spokesperson Scott Miller confirmed this to CNN affiliate WGAL.
Passenger Glen Brown described his initial confusion. He then felt concern about potential broader security issues.
"You had to do a double-take and ask yourself if what you were hearing was actually real," Brown said. "The real question I have is, if they hack the paging system in an international airport, what else are they tunneling into?"
Miller clarified that the message was political. It did not contain threats against the airport, its tenants, airlines, or passengers. Airport staff shut off the PA system. Local police are now investigating the incident. CNN sought comments from the Harrisburg International Airport Police Department, the FAA, and the Transportation Security Administration.
Cybersecurity Concerns in Aviation
The aviation industry relies heavily on interconnected digital systems for operations, from flight scheduling to passenger check-in. This reliance makes it a prime target for cyberattacks. Recent incidents demonstrate the potential for widespread disruption and security risks. Industry experts continually work to enhance digital defenses against evolving threats.
Flight Operations and Passenger Impact
During the Harrisburg incident, one flight was in the process of boarding. Airport officials took precautionary measures.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the aircraft was searched. No security issues were found, and the flight departed safely," Miller's statement confirmed.This quick response helped ensure passenger safety and minimize delays.
Canadian Airports Report Similar Events
Around the same time, over 2,000 miles away, Kelowna International Airport experienced a similar event. A passenger waiting for a flight noted the lack of information.
"The airport staff was about as in the dark as we were," the passenger said. "They even had to resort to using megaphones to give people boarding information because the intercom was down."
Kelowna Airport officials stated that a third party accessed both its flight information display screens and public address system. Videos posted by passengers on social media showed "Free Palestine" and pro-Palestinian chants. Multiple photos shared online also showed messages praising Hamas on screens inside Kelowna airport.
Kelowna airport personnel quickly removed the unauthorized messages. Flight display systems were restored. Efforts to fully repair the PA system were ongoing. The incident caused confusion among passengers, who reported a lack of immediate crisis response.
Operational Disruptions
- Harrisburg: PA system shut off, one aircraft searched.
- Kelowna: PA system and flight display screens compromised, megaphones used for announcements.
- Victoria: PA system broadcast unauthorized audio.
- Windsor: Images removed, PA announcement shut off.
Broader Implications and Future Security
Victoria International Airport also reported an "unauthorized audio message" over its public address system. The airport attributed this to "a cloud-based software issue." The airport apologized for any inconvenience and thanked passengers for their patience.
At Windsor International Airport, the terminal was largely empty during the incident. This was because no flights were arriving or departing immediately. Airport President Mark Galvin stated,
"Our team responded quickly, removed the images and shut off the recorded PA announcement."He confirmed that operations returned to normal quickly and without further incident.
Transport Canada is collaborating with federal security partners, including law enforcement. Their goal is to ensure airport safety and security were not compromised. They are also working to prevent similar incidents in the future. CNN reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for additional information. These events underscore the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures across all aspects of critical infrastructure.
The coordinated nature of these incidents across multiple international airports suggests a sophisticated attack. Authorities are focusing on identifying the perpetrators and strengthening defenses. Preventing future disruptions is a top priority for aviation security agencies.
