Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) continues to grapple with a cyberattack that has disrupted essential systems for a third day. The outage, which began on Saturday, has impacted internet access, phone lines, email services, and various other critical airport operations.
Port of Seattle officials are working diligently to restore full functionality, collaborating with outside experts to investigate the cause of the attack and implement necessary solutions. Despite the challenges, the airport assures passengers that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening process remains operational.
While major airlines like Delta and Alaska Airlines, both using Sea-Tac as a hub, report no service disruptions, the outage has significantly affected the airport’s baggage handling system. This has prompted airlines to advise passengers to avoid checking bags if possible to prevent potential delays. Additionally, the airport’s lost and found system has also been impacted.
Travelers are being advised to allot extra time for their journeys and utilize airline mobile applications to obtain boarding passes and bag tags whenever feasible. Despite these recommendations, many passengers have encountered longer-than-usual security lines and extended waits at baggage claim and check-in counters. Terminal screens throughout the airport remain offline, causing confusion for some passengers trying to locate their assigned gates. The airport has urged travelers to seek assistance from airport staff wearing green uniforms.
One family, the Uns, experienced firsthand the chaotic situation. Arriving at the airport with four young children, they faced a 45-minute wait to check their bags, only to discover that flight information screens were not functioning. The lack of working screens also hampered boarding announcements, forcing airline personnel to rely heavily on the intercom for communication.
Upon landing in Maui, the Un family encountered further complications with their luggage, highlighting the impact of the system disruption on passengers. While their missing bags were eventually recovered, the experience serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by the cyberattack.
In a Facebook post, the airport acknowledged the ongoing efforts to restore systems and provide updates to the public. However, no estimated time for a full recovery has been given. The incident underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats and the potential consequences for travelers and operations.
