Japan Airlines (JAL) experienced significant disruptions on Thursday morning following a cyberattack that delayed domestic and international flights.
For hours, the airline halted ticket sales and temporarily disabled its mobile app, impacting travelers across the country.
The disruption began at 7:24 a.m. when JAL identified an issue with equipment connecting its internal systems to external networks. By 9:00 a.m., the airline took swift action, shutting down the router believed to be the source of the problem. However, the incident had already led to widespread delays, affecting over 40 flights at airports throughout Japan.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that by noon, approximately 40 percent of Japan Airlines’ scheduled flights had been delayed. Although some domestic flights were canceled, international operations were not significantly affected.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, JAL confirmed that same-day ticket sales had resumed and that the affected systems were restored. The airline assured customers that no personal information had been leaked during the attack.
Despite the disruption, Japan Airlines emphasized that passenger safety was never compromised. An investigation is underway to determine the origin of the cyberattack and identify those responsible.
The airline’s ability to restore operations within hours minimized the overall impact on travelers, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing the aviation industry. As airlines increasingly rely on digital systems, the threat of cyberattacks poses new challenges to maintaining smooth operations.
Japan Airlines’ quick response highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. While the immediate crisis has passed, the investigation’s findings may prompt further upgrades to prevent similar incidents in the future.
