Tokyo, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Japan Airlines (JAL) (9201.T) faced a major cyberattack on Thursday, disrupting both domestic and international flights. The attack, which began at 7:24 a.m. local time (2224 GMT), targeted the airline’s internal and external systems, leading to delays and operational challenges.
In response to the incident, JAL identified a malfunctioning router as the source of the disruptions. The airline promptly shut down the affected router and temporarily suspended ticket sales for flights scheduled to depart on Thursday. This precautionary measure aimed to stabilize operations and mitigate further issues.
Despite the attack’s impact on JAL, ANA Holdings (9202.T), Japan’s other major airline, reported no signs of a similar breach. A spokesperson for ANA confirmed that their systems remained unaffected.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a separate disruption in the aviation industry. Earlier this week, American Airlines (AAL.O) grounded all flights for an hour on Christmas Eve due to a network hardware glitch, leaving thousands of travelers stranded during the busy holiday season.
The aviation industry continues to grapple with the challenges posed by cybersecurity threats and technical malfunctions, underscoring the importance of robust defense mechanisms and swift incident response strategies.
