Turkish Hacker Group Breaches U.S. and Canadian Airport Systems: ‘Free Palestine’ Messages Broadcast
Cyber Attack Hits Four North American Airports: Anti-Trump, Anti-Netanyahu Announcements Aired
North America / Global — October 17, 2025 | A pro-Palestinian Turkish hacker group reportedly breached public announcement and information systems at four airports in the United States and Canada, broadcasting anti-Netanyahu and anti-Trump messages alongside “Free Palestine” slogans.
Bu gönderiyi Instagram’da gör
The coordinated cyberattack temporarily disrupted airport operations and triggered security investigations on both sides of the border.
Incident Overview
At Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania, passengers reported hearing unexpected announcements through the PA system lasting nearly 10 minutes before it was shut down. The messages included phrases such as “Netanyahu, Trump, Free Palestine” and “Turkish Hacker Cyber Islam was here.”
Authorities confirmed that while the message did not include a direct threat, it caused confusion and alarm among passengers.
According to Harrisburg Airport spokesperson Scott Miller, “an unauthorized user gained access to the public address system and played a pre-recorded message.” The airport immediately disabled the system, and a police investigation is underway. One departing aircraft was briefly held for inspection, but no security breaches were found, and flights continued as scheduled.
Similar incidents were reported in Kelowna and Victoria (British Columbia), and Windsor (Ontario), where flight information displays and announcement systems were also compromised. Videos shared on social media showed the slogans “Free Palestine” and “End the Occupation” appearing on passenger screens.
Authorities’ Response
Airport authorities in both countries confirmed that the attack targeted third-party system providers linked to airport communication networks. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), local police departments, and Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have launched parallel investigations into the breach.
Preliminary reports suggest that the hackers may be associated with a group identifying themselves as “Cyber Islam” or “Turkish Hacker Cyber Islam,” known for politically motivated cyber activities in support of Palestine.
The incident did not compromise critical flight or navigation systems but highlighted vulnerabilities in airport public broadcast infrastructure and the growing risk of hacktivist cyberattacks targeting transportation hubs.
Industry and Security Implications
The breach underscores the importance of multi-layered cybersecurity protocols in airport infrastructure. Experts emphasize the need for:
- Stronger access controls for third-party system integrations.
- Backup communication systems to prevent service disruption.
- Clear crisis communication protocols to manage passenger panic.
- Rapid incident response capabilities across interconnected airport networks.
Cybersecurity analysts noted that this event marks one of the first coordinated hacktivist disruptions simultaneously affecting multiple airports across North America.
