Airports in Pennsylvania and Canada fell victim to hacking this week, one to its PA system, the other to its flight departure screens. Both incidents are currently being investigated.
Unauthorised broadcast by hackers
Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania, experienced an ‘unauthorised recorded message’ which was then broadcast over their PA systems. The message repeated phrases, such as ‘free Palestine’ and messages directed at Trump and Netanyahu.
Airport spokesperson Scott Miller issued a statement detailing that the airport would not comment on the message and that it did not contain threats to the staff, tenants, airlines, or those flying at the airport. At the time of the broadcast, the flight that was currently boarding, was searched for any security issues – none were found, and there was no more disruptions at the airport.
Kelowna Airport screens were also hacked a day later
The airport in British Columbia also experienced ‘unauthorised messaging’ on Tuesday, 14 October, on its screens. Kelowna Airport staff managed to shut down the messaging, which branded Trump a pig, among other unofficial communications.
It was deemed there was no threat to any passengers or flights, so business continued as usual.
In a statement released by the airport today, Kelowna said:
‘A joint threat risk assessment was completed with RCMP and Transport Canada, and the messaging displayed was not deemed to be a direct threat towards the travelling public. To analyze the root cause, we are continuing to work with Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and Transport Canada’
How do you think these hackers were able to compromise the airports security system? Let us know in the comments below
