Authorities in the United States and Canada are investigating a cyber incident that disrupted several airports on October 15, 2025, after hackers took over public address systems and digital flight boards to broadcast pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel messages.

Officials have described the breach as a politically charged act of vandalism rather than a coordinated cyberattack.

Multiple Airports Targeted

The hack hit at least four North American airports. In the U.S., Harrisburg International in Pennsylvania was breached, with another possible target in Oregon. In Canada, disruptions occurred at Kelowna, Victoria, and Windsor airports.

Officials said the attackers exploited a flaw in third-party cloud software for PA and flight display systems, briefly replacing normal messages with political content.

What the Hackers Broadcast

For roughly ten minutes, airport speakers and screens displayed slogans such as “Free, free Palestine” and “Hamas won the war honorably.” Some messages included profanities directed at U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling them “pigs” and “murderers.”

At least one message ended with a signature:

“Turkish hacker Cyber Islam was here… Free, free Palestine.”

In Canada, altered flight screens reportedly showed doctored images of militants and a photoshopped Netanyahu, according to eyewitnesses and local media reports.

Who Is Behind the Attack?

A hacker or small group calling itself “Turkish Cyber Islam” claimed responsibility, referencing the breach in messages aired in Pennsylvania. Cybersecurity analysts said the attack likely involved a single individual or small collective exploiting known vulnerabilities rather than a sophisticated network.

There were no ransom demands, signs of state involvement, or links to any terrorist organization, officials confirmed.

Operational Disruptions and Safety Measures

• Airports temporarily shut down PA systems to halt the broadcasts.
• At Harrisburg, one Delta flight to Atlanta was delayed and re-screened by the TSA, causing a 45-minute disruption.
• Kelowna airport reported two short domestic flight delays as IT teams restored systems.

Despite the confusion, no safety threats or lasting technical issues were identified. Most airports resumed normal operations within hours.

Investigations Underway

In the U.S., the FAA, TSA, and local police are investigating, with Harrisburg officials confirming the messages were political, not threatening. In Canada, Transport Canada and the RCMP launched a joint probe. Kelowna Airport CEO Sam Samaddar called the breach “non-specific and non-threatening” but said cybersecurity must be strengthened.