Multiple North American Airports Hit by Coordinated Cyber Attack Broadcasting Pro-Hamas Messages

The hackers gained unauthorized access to third-party software controlling public address systems.

On Tuesday, hackers infiltrated public address systems at four airports—three in Canada and one in the United States—broadcasting messages in support of Hamas and criticizing President Donald Trump, according to official statements and news reports.

The Kelowna Royal Canadian Mounted Police reported that an "advertisement streaming service" at Kelowna International Airport in British Columbia "was briefly compromised and unauthorized content was shared." The RCMP has launched an investigation in collaboration with other agencies but declined to provide additional information.

At Victoria International Airport in British Columbia, hackers transmitted foreign language messages and music over the public address system. According to an airport spokesperson, the breach occurred through third-party software controlling the PA system, prompting airport officials to switch to an internal system to restore control.

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has joined the investigation, working alongside the airport administration and the RCMP.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed in a social media post on Wednesday that hackers had similarly compromised the public address system at Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and airport authorities are currently investigating the incident.

At Windsor International Airport in Ontario, hackers breached both the flight information display screens and the public address system on Tuesday evening, displaying "unauthorized images and announcements." Airport officials stated that the breach affected a "cloud-based software provider" used by the airport, adding that "our systems returned to normal shortly thereafter."

All four affected facilities are smaller, regional airports. In 2024, Kelowna—the busiest among them—served just over 2 million passengers, significantly less than the more than 25 million travelers who passed through British Columbia's largest airport, Vancouver International Airport.