Hawaiian Airlines Experiences Cybersecurity Incident

Hawaiian Airlines has recently experienced a cybersecurity incident that has affected some of its IT systems. The airline officially acknowledged this “cybersecurity event” through two updates on its website dated June 26.

In response to the incident, Hawaiian Airlines has implemented measures to safeguard its operations, ensuring that flights continue to operate safely and according to schedule. A statement released at 16:00 PST on June 26 emphasized their ongoing communication with relevant experts and federal authorities, assuring that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Earlier in the day, a statement at 10:45 PST indicated that the airline is working on an “orderly restoration” of its systems, suggesting that certain systems were taken offline as a precautionary measure. However, specifics regarding the nature of the incident and whether any customer data may have been compromised remain undisclosed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged its communication with Hawaiian Airlines regarding the situation and is actively monitoring the developments.

In 2024, a significant announcement indicated that Hawaiian Airlines had been acquired by Alaska Airlines, with intentions to streamline operations into a unified carrier with an integrated passenger service system.

Air Travel Under Attack

This incident at Hawaiian Airlines occurs merely two weeks after a similar cybersecurity issue was reported by WestJet Airlines, Canada’s second-largest airline, which also faced disturbances involving its internal systems and app. As of the last update on this matter, no additional information had been provided since the initial public disclosure on June 13.

In August 2024, a cyber-attack on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport led to notable disruptions during the busy Labor Day travel period, impacting check-in processes and other airport services. The attack was later classified as ransomware-related, attributed to the Rhysida gang, which managed to infiltrate parts of the port’s computer systems, encrypting access to some crucial data. The Port of Seattle subsequently announced in April 2025 that it would notify individuals whose personal data had been affected during the attack.

Moreover, in February 2024, two El Al flights headed for Israel encountered attempts by hostile elements to infiltrate their communication networks, with the goal of altering their pre-programmed flight paths.