Hackers infiltrated public address and display systems at four North American airports on Tuesday—three in Canada and one in the United States—broadcasting messages supporting Hamas and criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump. Authorities in both countries have launched investigations into the coordinated cyberattack, which officials linked to breaches in third-party cloud-based software.
In Canada, Kelowna International Airport in British Columbia confirmed that its advertisement streaming service had been “briefly compromised” when unauthorized content was aired. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating the incident alongside the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and other agencies.
Victoria International Airport, also in British Columbia, reported that hackers used foreign-language audio and music in their broadcast after gaining access through third-party software. The airport quickly switched to an internal system to restore control. Similarly, Windsor International Airport in Ontario said hackers displayed unauthorized images and announcements on flight information screens and over its PA system. Officials said normal operations resumed shortly after the breach.
In the United States, Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania was also affected. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the hack, noting that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airport authorities are leading the investigation. The FAA has not yet released an official statement.
All four airports—Kelowna, Victoria, Windsor, and Harrisburg—are considered smaller regional hubs, serving a fraction of the traffic handled by major airports like Vancouver International. Kelowna, the busiest of the four, saw just over two million passengers in 2024.
Cybersecurity experts warn that the incident highlights growing vulnerabilities in airport communication systems dependent on third-party cloud software, urging stronger cybersecurity measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.