Cyberattack Disrupts Japan Airlines Operations but Prompt Recovery Ensues

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Temporary Delays in Flights Due to Baggage System Glitch

Japan Airlines (JAL), the country’s second-largest airline, reported a cyberattack on Thursday, causing disruptions in domestic and international flights. The issue, linked to problems in the airline’s baggage check-in system, led to delays for over a dozen flights at several airports across Japan. However, there were no major cancellations or large-scale disruptions, according to public broadcaster NHK.

The incident, which began at 7:24 a.m. local time (2224 GMT Wednesday), was swiftly managed after JAL identified the source of the disruption—a malfunctioning router. By 8:56 a.m., the affected router was isolated, and recovery efforts were underway. Despite the prompt action, JAL suspended sales for flights departing the same day, issuing an apology to customers for the inconvenience.

“We identified and addressed the cause of the issue. We are checking the system recovery status,” JAL stated on X (formerly Twitter).

Rising Cyber Threats in Japan’s Key Industries

This incident adds JAL to a growing list of Japanese organisations targeted by cyberattacks in recent years. In 2023, Japan’s space agency JAXA and Nagoya Port faced significant disruptions due to similar cyber incidents, with the latter being linked to the Russia-based ransomware group Lockbit. Even Japan’s cybersecurity agency, the National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC), reportedly suffered a nine-month infiltration in the same year.

These cyberattacks underscore the growing vulnerability of critical infrastructure and essential services in Japan. The disruptions at JAL follow a broader trend where industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to digital services, like the video-sharing platform Niconico, have faced significant challenges due to hacking attempts.

While JAL shares briefly dipped by 2.5% following news of the attack, they recovered slightly, reflecting market confidence in the airline’s swift response. As cyber threats continue to rise, Japanese firms are under increasing pressure to bolster their defenses and ensure operational continuity.