A major cyberattack targeted Japan Airlines (JAL) on Thursday, disrupting over 20 domestic flights during the busy year-end travel rush 🎒✈️. The airline confirmed that flight safety was not compromised, and systems were restored within hours—but not before chaos erupted at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, where frustrated travelers crowded terminals as holiday plans hung in the balance.
The attack, identified as a DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attempt, overwhelmed JAL's network with a flood of data traffic—think of it like a digital traffic jam 🚦💻. While no customer data was stolen, ticket sales were temporarily halted, affecting thousands trying to head home for Japan's New Year celebrations, the country's most cherished family holiday.
🔍 'We acted swiftly to contain the threat,' a JAL spokesperson said. The incident highlights growing concerns about Japan's cybersecurity defenses, especially after recent breaches at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and a 2022 attack that paralyzed Nagoya's port for days.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi urged JAL to prioritize passenger support, while rivals like ANA and Skymark remained unscathed. With 24 flights delayed by 30+ minutes, the attack serves as a wake-up call for industries relying on digital infrastructure during critical times 🚨.
