Seattle Airport Continues Struggle With Cyberattack Before Labor Day Weekend

Laptop programs at Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport are nonetheless down after Saturday’s cyberattack. With Labor Day weekend journey already underway, airport officers have had no alternative however to return to fundamentals.

One of many largest airports within the nation, Seattle Airport connects 91 home and 28 worldwide locations with 31 airways. On July 24, 2023, the airport recorded its busiest day ever, with greater than 198,000 passengers passing via the airport. Whereas some other airports in the U.S. have stricter security protocols, attackers discovered a loophole to assault Seattle.

Crowds of individuals ready at baggage declare inside Seattle airport terminal, Seattle

Labor Day Weekend Outlook

On Labor Day weekend this 12 months, a document variety of flyers (over 9% more than last year) are anticipated to take to the skies. “We’re working across the clock to get the mandatory programs again on-line and to mitigate impacts for passengers,” the airport’s aviation managing director, Lance Lyttle, mentioned on Sunday.

Most main carriers on the airport course of passengers utilizing their laptop networks, which have been unaffected by the assault. Nonetheless, airport officers say smaller airways and a few worldwide flights have been impacted, forcing passengers to be checked in by hand.

“Be ready for lengthy queues as some airways are offering guide bag tags and boarding passes,” the airport suggested in a post on X.

Journey Impacts

The cyberattack has impacted all on-line communications, together with the airport’s website, which advises passengers of the standing of their flights. Officers mentioned that the airport’s Wi-Fi community and baggage processing system have been inoperative, and the port’s e-mail system went offline. Since Wednesday, a workaround internet web page with primary info has been on-line.

Port of Seattle officers have held again particulars about how the cyberattack was carried out, besides to say that “nefarious characters” have been concerned.