North American Airports Targeted in Cyberattack Displaying Pro-Hamas Propaganda

Hackers breach airport public address systems in the US and Canada, broadcast pro-Hamas messages

Cybersecurity officials are investigating after hackers successfully penetrated the public announcement systems at four North American airports, broadcasting unauthorized messages reportedly supporting Hamas.

The sophisticated breach affected three Canadian airports—Kelowna International and Victoria International in British Columbia, and Windsor International in Ontario—along with Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania, United States.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Kelowna, the announcement broadcast service at Kelowna International Airport was “briefly compromised,” allowing unauthorized content to be published through the facility’s public address system. Authorities declined to provide specific details about the content or duration of the breach, citing the ongoing investigation.

At Victoria International Airport, hackers not only broadcast messages but also played music through the speaker system. A spokesperson for the airport confirmed that the intrusion occurred when attackers compromised third-party software that manages the announcement systems. In response, airport officials switched to an internal system to regain control and prevent further unauthorized broadcasts.

The situation was more complex at Windsor International Airport in Ontario, where hackers gained access to both the public address system and the flight information display screens. Airport officials acknowledged that “unauthorized images and announcements” were displayed but did not elaborate on their nature or how quickly they were able to restore normal operations.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania experienced a similar breach. The Federal Aviation Administration is now collaborating with airport officials to investigate the incident and determine how the hackers gained access to the systems.

Aviation security experts suggest this coordinated attack highlights significant vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure that could potentially cause panic or disruption at transportation hubs. The simultaneous nature of the breaches across international boundaries points to a well-organized operation rather than isolated incidents.

“Airport communication systems are considered critical infrastructure components because they provide essential information to travelers and staff,” said cybersecurity analyst Rebecca Morison. “When these systems are compromised, it creates not just a security concern but also potential safety issues if emergency announcements are hindered or if false information causes passenger panic.”

None of the affected airports have disclosed exactly what messages were broadcast, though authorities confirmed they were supportive of Hamas. It remains unclear how long the hackers maintained control of the systems before officials could intervene.

The incidents come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and growing concerns about critical infrastructure security. Airport officials at all four locations have assured travelers that flight operations were not affected and that they are implementing additional security measures to prevent similar intrusions.

As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the coordinated cyberattacks. Law enforcement agencies in both countries are collaborating to identify the perpetrators and determine whether the attacks originated from organized hacking groups, state-sponsored actors, or ideologically motivated individuals.

The breach raises questions about the security protocols protecting public address systems at transportation hubs and whether similar vulnerabilities might exist at other airports throughout North America and beyond. Aviation authorities are reportedly reviewing security measures at other facilities to prevent copycat incidents.