Japan Airlines (JAL) announced it was targeted by a cyberattack on Thursday, December 26, causing delays to more than 20 domestic flights. While the incident disrupted travel during Japan’s peak holiday season, the airline assured passengers that there was no compromise to flight safety.
What Happened?
According to the Independent UK, the disruption began Thursday morning when JAL’s internal and external network systems experienced a malfunction. As a result, 24 domestic flights were delayed for over 30 minutes, with the potential for further disruptions later in the day.
Ticket sales for both domestic and international flights scheduled for departure on Thursday were also temporarily suspended.
Suspected Cause
According to the Kyodo News Service, JAL suspects it may have been the victim of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. In such attacks, networks are flooded with data from multiple sources, overwhelming systems and rendering them non-functional.
Government Response
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi addressed the issue in a press conference, stating that the transport ministry had instructed JAL to expedite system restoration efforts and provide accommodations for affected passengers.
Impact on Travelers
The cyberattack couldn’t have come at a worse time, as Japan enters its busiest travel season of the year. The New Year holidays see millions of people traveling from cities back to their hometowns for family reunions and celebrations. At Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, one of the busiest hubs in the country, television footage showed frustrated passengers experiencing delays.
Despite the widespread impact on JAL, other Japanese airlines, including ANA Holdings, Skymark, and Starflyer, reported no disruptions, allowing some travelers to proceed with their plans.
Looking Ahead
As holiday travel ramps up, JAL faces significant pressure to resolve its network issues swiftly and ensure passengers can reach their destinations without further delays. While cyberattacks on airlines remain a growing global concern, the incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, particularly during critical travel periods.
The airline has not yet disclosed when it expects normal operations to resume but has committed to updating passengers as the situation evolves.
Phoyo: FreightWaves
