Hackers breached the public address system at Harrisburg International Airport on Thursday, October 16, broadcasting a pro-Palestine message laced with sharp criticism of US and Israeli leaders.
The unauthorised audio transmission, heard by passengers and staff across terminals, reportedly included political slogans in support of Palestine and denunciations of Western foreign policy in the Middle East.
Airport authorities confirmed the breach but did not disclose the exact wording of the message, citing an ongoing investigation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have launched a joint probe into the incident.
Preliminary assessments suggest the attack exploited vulnerabilities in the airport’s communication infrastructure, though officials have not confirmed whether the breach originated domestically or overseas.
In a striking parallel, three Canadian airports – including Toronto Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau, and Vancouver International – reported similar PA system intrusions on the same day, with identical pro-Palestine messages aired briefly before systems were taken offline.
Transport Canada confirmed it is coordinating with US counterparts and cybersecurity agencies to assess the scope of the coordinated digital assault. “This appears to be a targeted, multi-jurisdictional cyber operation,” a spokesperson said.
Harrisburg International Airport temporarily suspended non-essential PA announcements as technicians worked to secure the system. No flights were disrupted, and no injuries or safety threats were reported.
Cybersecurity experts warn the incident highlights growing risks to critical civilian infrastructure from politically motivated hacking groups.