Japan Airlines (JAL) faced a cyberattack on Thursday, resulting in delays for over 20 domestic flights. However, the airline managed to thwart the attack and restore its systems within hours, ensuring there was no compromise to flight safety.
The issue began in the morning when JAL's network connecting internal and external systems started malfunctioning. The airline quickly identified the cause as a deliberate attack aimed at overwhelming the network with a massive influx of data, a tactic known to disrupt systems by flooding them with traffic until they become unresponsive or crash.
Fortunately, the cyberattack did not involve any viruses or lead to the leakage of customer data. By late morning, the incident had caused delays of more than 30 minutes for 24 domestic flights.
Concerns about Japan's cybersecurity have been raised by experts, particularly as the country strengthens its defense capabilities and collaborates more closely with nations like the United States, known for their robust cyber defenses. While Japan has taken steps to enhance cybersecurity, experts emphasize the need for further improvements.
Notably, Japan's space agency disclosed experiencing cyberattacks since 2023, although sensitive information related to space missions and defense remained secure. The agency is actively investigating to implement preventive measures. Additionally, a cyberattack last year disrupted operations at a container terminal in Nagoya's port for three days.
Following the cyber incident, JAL temporarily suspended ticket sales for both domestic and international flights scheduled for Thursday but resumed operations after several hours. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi urged the airline to expedite system restoration efforts and assist affected passengers.
Fortunately, other Japanese airlines such as ANA Holdings, Skymark, and Starflyer remained unaffected by the cyberattack. The disruption at Haneda airport during the peak year-end holiday travel season was evident, with many passengers crowded in terminals as they prepared for New Year celebrations and travel to their hometowns.
