Japan Airlines Struck by Cyberattack, Causing Flight Disruptions

Naina Jaggi

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26-12-2024

4 min read

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Japan Airlines Struck by Cyberattack, Causing Flight Disruptions

On Thursday morning, Japan Airlines (JAL) confirmed that it was struck by a cyberattack, causing significant malfunctioning in the flight operations. The airline reported disruptions with its booking systems, check-in processes, and flight schedules. This sudden cyberattack resulted in the delays and cancellations of flights across both domestic and international routes. Here’s what you need to know about the situation.

Cyberattack at Japan Airlines (JAL)

Japan Airlines claimed that they were the target of a cyberattack that delayed 24 domestic flights for over 30 minutes. If not investigated on time, this situation can further expand later in the day.

The reports of the Kyodo News Service cited that the airline informed police that it may have fallen victim to a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack. In this, multiple sources flood its networks with excessive data in a short time, overwhelming the system. In addition, the JAL’s ticket sales for both domestic and international flights that were set to depart on Thursday were shut down on temporary bases.

What the Airlines Stated?

In a statement, Japan Airlines (JAL) explained that the malfunction, which caused delays in both domestic and international flights, was related to network equipment connecting the airline with its customers. The airline identified the issue as a malfunctioning router and temporarily shut it down. Efforts to restore the system were still underway.

JAL has issued an apology for the inconvenience caused to passengers and assured that further updates would be provided as the situation develops.

Network failure in progress as of 10:00AM
We identified and addressed the cause of the issue. We are checking the system recovery status. Sales for both domestic and international flights departing today have been suspended. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
— JAL Flight Info (@JALFlightInfo_e) December 26, 2024

What About the Passengers?

Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary stated in a regular news briefing on Thursday that the transport ministry has directed JAL to expedite efforts to restore the system. They further added to provide accommodation to the affected passengers and help them as required. The television clip revealed many passengers stranded at Tokyo’s Haneda airport affected by the attack.

The cyberattack on JAL came during the winter travel season of the nation. Not only this, JAL’s shares also dropped by 2.5 per cent during trading. This is also the airlines’ sharpest intraday drop since early October.

About Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines was established in 1951. The airlines operate from the major hubs at Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports, as well as Osakas Kansai and Itami airports. In 1987, the airlines shifted from state-owned to fully privatized.