Japan Airlines (JAL) announced that its network systems were targeted by a cyberattack on Thursday, causing delays for at least 14 domestic flights and impacting some international services, according to Kyodo News.
Flight Disruptions and Suspended Ticket Sales
The cyberattack began around 7:25 AM, forcing the airline to halt ticket sales for all domestic and international flights for the remainder of the day. Passengers with pre-purchased tickets were assured that their bookings remained valid despite the disruptions.
Investigation and Recovery Efforts
JAL reported it had identified and addressed the suspected cause by temporarily shutting down a compromised router. Efforts to restore systems are ongoing, with the airline working to minimize further disruptions.
The airline has contacted the Metropolitan Police Department, which is investigating the attack. Sharing updates on X, JAL stated:
“We identified and addressed the cause of the issue. We are checking the system recovery status. Sales for both domestic and international flights departing today have been suspended. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
In a subsequent post, the airline added:
“We regret to inform you that our network systems are down. The cause is under investigation. This may potentially affect the operations of both domestic and international flights. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”
Potential Impact
The airline is assessing the broader effects of the attack on its flight operations and customer services. Further details regarding the cyberattack’s source and scope are awaited as investigations continue.