Japan Airlines Experiences Cyberattack, Leading to Flight Delays

On December 26, 2024, Japan Airlines (JAL) faced a cyberattack that disrupted both internal and external systems, leading to delays in domestic and international flights. The breach commenced at 7:24 a.m. local time, affecting the airline’s network operations. In response, JAL temporarily deactivated a malfunctioning router and suspended ticket sales for flights departing that day to mitigate further issues. Despite these measures, some flights experienced delays. The airline has not disclosed the specific nature of the cyberattack or identified the perpetrators. Notably, ANA Holdings, Japan’s other major air carrier, reported no signs of similar attacks on its systems. This incident underscores the growing cybersecurity challenges faced by the aviation industry, following a recent technical glitch at American Airlines that caused significant travel disruptions on Christmas Eve.