Listen to the article
Cyberattack Disrupts Kelowna Airport with Pro-Hamas Messages
Operations at Kelowna International Airport were thrown into disarray Tuesday evening when hackers took control of passenger information screens and the public address system, displaying pro-Hamas messages and broadcasting Arabic chants throughout the terminal.
The attack, which began around 5:15 p.m. local time, saw flight information monitors suddenly switch to a message reading: “Hacked By Mutariff Siberislam.” The screens also declared, “Israel lost the war, Hamas won the war honorably,” alongside an insult directed at former U.S. president Donald Trump.
Simultaneously, Arabic music and chants began playing over the airport’s PA system, creating confusion as regular flight announcements became inaudible. Travelers reported disorientation as they struggled to get information about their flights amid the disruption.
“We were obviously concerned about whether there was a specific threat against the airport and the safety of passengers and crew,” said Airport CEO Sam Samaddar in interviews with local media outlets. “We were able to isolate it very, very quickly.”
Airport officials acted swiftly, implementing their cyberattack response protocol. While the flight information displays were quickly restored, the public address system remained offline for several hours. During this period, airline employees were forced to use megaphones to communicate with passengers.
Phillip Elchitz, the airport’s director of operations, confirmed to local news outlet Castanet that staff had successfully contained the attack. Samaddar emphasized that the hack was limited to information systems and did not compromise air traffic control, communications, or security infrastructure.
“It didn’t migrate to any other portions of the airport or the aviation system,” Samaddar assured the public.
The RCMP determined there was no direct threat to airport operations, allowing flights to continue with minimal disruption. Only two flights experienced delays—one by two hours and another by four hours.
B.C. Conservative MLA and public safety critic Macklin McCall responded to the incident by posting an image of the hacked screen to social media platform X, writing: “Terrorist propaganda has no place in B.C.”
The incident has been reported to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security in Ottawa, which will conduct an independent investigation into the breach. Airport operations returned to normal by Wednesday morning.
According to local radio station am1150, online accounts associated with Mutariff Siberislam—the entity claiming responsibility—show a pattern of similar cyberattacks against billboards, media websites, and local government systems worldwide. These attacks often feature political or religious messaging.
This incident appears to be part of a broader trend. CNN reported that Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania experienced a similar cyberattack this week, displaying comparable messages on their information systems. Harrisburg spokesperson Scott Miller noted, “The message was political in nature and did not contain any threats against the airport, airlines, or passengers.” Local police are investigating that incident separately.
The Kelowna attack highlights the growing vulnerability of public infrastructure to cyber threats, particularly those targeting information display systems that are often connected to networks with less robust security than critical operational systems. As airports and other transportation hubs increasingly rely on digital information systems, cybersecurity experts warn that such facilities must strengthen protection against similar propaganda-focused intrusions.
While this incident caused relatively minor operational disruption, it raises concerns about the potential psychological impact on travelers and the broader implications for public confidence in transportation security systems.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
8 Comments
Hacking airport systems is a major breach of security that undermines public trust and confidence. Travelers need to feel safe when passing through airports, and incidents like this chip away at that sense of security. Robust cybersecurity measures must be implemented to prevent future attacks.
While the pro-Hamas messaging is troubling, I’m more concerned about the potential safety implications of hackers infiltrating airport systems. Disruptions to flight information and announcements could lead to chaos and dangerous situations. Enhancing digital security at airports should be a top priority.
I agree, the safety of passengers and staff has to be the primary concern here. Hackers exploiting airport infrastructure is extremely reckless and could have dire consequences if not addressed properly.
While the political messaging is concerning, the more pressing issue is the potential safety risk from hackers gaining control of airport systems. Disrupting flight information and announcements could lead to chaos and endanger passengers. Enhancing cybersecurity should be the top priority in responding to this incident.
This is certainly an unsettling incident. Hacking airport systems is a serious breach of security that can cause significant disruption and concern for travelers. I hope the authorities are able to thoroughly investigate the attack and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
You raise a good point. Airport security needs to be robust to protect passengers, staff, and critical infrastructure. Hopefully this incident prompts a review of cybersecurity measures to enhance resilience against such attacks.
This is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in our critical transportation infrastructure. Airports need to invest heavily in robust cybersecurity measures to prevent such intrusions. Hopefully this incident spurs action to bolster defenses and protect against future attacks.
This is a worrying development that highlights the need for heightened vigilance when it comes to airport cybersecurity. Hackers infiltrating critical infrastructure like this is unacceptable and puts lives at risk. Stricter security protocols and system upgrades are clearly needed to bolster defenses.