Hackers Hit Airport Screens, PA Systems with Pro-Hamas, Anti-Trump Messages

Two airports in B.C. and another in Ontario had their public address and flight information displays systems hacked by a third party Tuesday evening. Several social media users said they saw and heard pro-Hamas and anti-Trump messages at airport in Kelowna, Victoria and Windsor.

Kelowna International Airport and Victoria International Airport confirmed the incidents in emailed statements to CBC News. Transport Canada and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security both indicated that they were aware of the attacks.

“Transport Canada is working closely with federal security partners, including law enforcement, to ensure there were no impacts on the safety and security of airport operations and to mitigate disruption from similar incidents in the future,” a statement from the federal agency read.

Kelowna International Airport is investigating the hack of its systems. Phillip Elchitz, the airport’s director of operations and innovation, told CBC News “a third party gained access” to the flight information display system at the airport and the PA system in the terminal building.

He said pro-Hamas and anti-Trump messages were briefly announced over the PA system and displayed on screens. Elchitz said the PA system was fixed after around 20 seconds while it took a few minutes for the images to be removed from the displays. Impact was minimal, with a few flight delays.

“We’re working with our service providers to better understand how these files ended up on these screens and on the PA system,” he told CBC News. 

At least one hack was reported in the U.S. as well. Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania confirmed that an unauthorized user gained access to its PA system and played an unauthorized recorded message.