Airlines using shared technology systems hit hardest, manual processes implemented to cope with disruptions
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport experiences flight delays and baggage issues due to a cyberattack
- Cybersecurity company CrowdStrike’s software update caused similar disruptions last month
- Airlines using shared technology systems are most affected, including Alaska Airlines and Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country, and JetBlue
- Manual processes like handwritten boarding passes and manual baggage handling implemented to compensate for the downtime
- TSA confirms security is not impacted by the cyberattack
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is dealing with flight delays and baggage backlogs five days after detecting a cyberattack on its systems. The Port of Seattle, which operates the airport, is working to restore downed services such as Wi-Fi, flight information, electronic display boards, and internal technology. Airlines like Alaska Airlines have experienced problems with checked baggage due to shared technology systems. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirms that security has not been impacted by the cyberattack, but manual processes like handwritten boarding passes and manual baggage handling are being used to compensate for the downtime.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the cyberattack on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s systems, its impact on flight delays and baggage issues, and the efforts being made to address the situation. It also includes expert opinions on the importance of improving tech infrastructure in the aviation sector. The article is informative without any significant digressions or personal perspectives presented as facts.
Noise Level: 6
Noise Justification: The article provides some relevant information about the cyberattack on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and its impact on flight operations, but it also includes some irrelevant details such as mentioning a global technology outage from CrowdStrike that happened a month ago. The article could have focused more on the specific incident at hand and provided more in-depth analysis of the situation rather than diving into unrelated topics like the SANS Institute and Aviation Information Sharing and Analysis Center. Additionally, it contains some repetitive information about the effects of the cyberattack on different airlines.
Public Companies: Alaska Airlines (ALK), Delta Air Lines (DAL), JetBlue (JBLU), Spirit Airlines (SAVE), Frontier Airlines (FRNT), Sun Country Airlines (SNCY), CrowdStrike (CRWD)
Private Companies: Port of Seattle,Aviation Information Sharing and Analysis Center,SANS Institute
Key People: Perry Cooper (Port Spokesman), Moses Frost (Senior Instructor at SANS Institute), Jeffrey Troy (President of Aviation Information Sharing and Analysis Center), Greg Hawko (Federal Security Director for TSA in Washington)
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The cyberattack on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has impacted airlines such as Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country and JetBlue, which rely on the airport’s shared technology systems for baggage handling and other services. Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines have also experienced delays in checking bags due to the backlog caused by the attack.
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses a cyberattack that has disrupted operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, affecting multiple airlines and causing baggage issues. This can impact the financial performance of these airlines as it may lead to delays and potential loss of customer trust.
Presence Of Extreme Event: Yes
Nature Of Extreme Event: Technological Disruption (cyber-attacks, major service outages, data breaches, etc.)
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Moderate
Extreme Rating Justification: The cyberattack caused flight delays and baggage backups at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, affecting multiple airlines and disrupting their systems. Although there were no major security risks or long-term consequences, the incident highlights the need for improved tech redundancies in the aviation sector.
Move Size: No market move size mentioned.
Sector: All
Direction: Down
Magnitude: Large
Affected Instruments: Stocks
www.wsj.com 
