Japan Airlines (JAL) was struck by a cyberattack on Thursday, delaying over 20 domestic flights during a busy travel period. The airline reported that its internal and external systems malfunctioned in the morning, but normal operations were restored within hours. JAL assured passengers that flight safety was never compromised.
The cyberattack targeted JAL’s network, overwhelming it with massive data transmissions in a tactic known as a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. Such attacks aim to crash systems by flooding them with excessive traffic. JAL confirmed no viruses were involved and no customer data was leaked.
By late morning, the attack had caused delays of over 30 minutes to 24 flights, while ticket sales for all flights scheduled for Thursday were temporarily suspended. Services resumed later in the day.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said the transport ministry urged JAL to expedite recovery efforts and assist affected passengers. Passengers at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport faced significant disruption, with crowded terminals coinciding with the year-end travel rush.
This incident highlights growing concerns about Japan’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Experts have warned of potential weaknesses as the country strengthens its defence ties with the United States and other allies with advanced cyber defences. Recent cyber incidents include attacks on Japan’s space agency since 2023 and a three-day paralysis at Nagoya’s port last year.
With the New Year holidays approaching, a crucial travel season for millions of Japanese, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.
