The apparent cyberattack at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has caused major disruptions for travelers. The attack has affected internet, phones, email, and other systems at the airport for three days. Airport officials are working to investigate the outages and restore full service.
Hundreds of flights delayed, some canceled in apparent cyber attack on Seattle Tacoma airport: Flights remain delayed at Seattle Tacoma Airport Sunday in the wake of a potential cyberattack on the Port of Seattle Saturday. https://t.co/O7ZYxcks9V
— Frank Figliuzzi (@FrankFigliuzzi1) August 26, 2024
Cybersecurity reporter Sam Sabin spoke with @LindseyReiser about the Seattle-Tacoma Airport being hit by suspected cyberattack. Watch: https://t.co/hEqLsDW0qs
📺: @CBSNews | @samsabin923 | @axios
— Axios Comms (@AxiosComms) August 26, 2024
Lance Lyttle, the airport’s aviation managing director, said they are working around the clock to get necessary systems back online. The airport is investigating the breach with the help of outside experts. They are also working closely with federal partners, including the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection.
The outage did not affect TSA’s ability to screen passengers. However, it did impact the Port of Seattle’s baggage sorting system. Airlines advised passengers to avoid checking bags if possible to prevent potential delays.
International travelers should give themselves extra time if coming to SEA. Some of our airline partners are currently providing manual bag tags and boarding passes. pic.twitter.com/2y85HSXZyw
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) August 27, 2024
Many travelers faced longer-than-normal security lines and long waits at baggage claims. Terminal screens were also malfunctioning throughout the airport, making it difficult for passengers to determine their assigned gates. Thai Un and his family were among those affected.
Looking for help while we experience system outages? Find our team in green stationed throughout the airport to help you. Look for any airport staff member in SEA green for directions or assistance. We appreciate your patience. pic.twitter.com/mN0KysBa1P
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) August 27, 2024
They waited in line for 45 minutes to drop off their checked bags. None of the flight information screens were working, including the ones next to individual gates. After landing in Maui, two of his family’s bags did not arrive.
Cyberattack disrupts airport operations
The airport said port teams were making progress but there wasn’t an estimated time for when systems would return to normal operations. Travelers hope this cyberattack won’t result in prolonged delays.
Authorities are working to resolve the cyberattack but have yet to determine when it will be fully resolved. A cybersecurity expert noted that airports are big prizes for hackers because they can disrupt a lot of people’s lives. As SEA staff work to address the issue, they have not provided a timeline for resolution.
The pressure is mounting with the TSA projecting next weekend to be the busiest Labor Day Weekend on record across U.S. airports. System outages continue to affect Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Airport spokesperson Perry Cooper stated on Monday evening that there is still no timeline for a full restoration of the affected systems.
The primary customer-facing systems impacted by the outages were flight information displays and baggage movement and information systems. The airport’s website was still down as of Monday afternoon. Two airlines that use the airport as a hub reported minimal effects on their operations.
Alaska Airlines advised customers flying out of Seattle to avoid checking bags if possible. Delta Air Lines reported that impacts on its operations at the airport continued to be minor on Monday. The flight tracking service FlightAware reported numerous delays and cancellations at SeaTac.
As of 5 p.m. PT Monday, there had been 218 delays and 10 cancellations. It remains unclear if the outages were directly related to these delays.
