Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is currently facing a significant disruption due to a cyberattack that occurred over the weekend. The attack has impacted critical systems, including internet connectivity, phone lines, email, and other essential services. The Port of Seattle, which manages the airport, is working diligently to restore these systems and minimize the impact on passengers.
Lance Lyttle, the airport’s aviation managing director, stated that they are working around the clock to bring the systems back online. The airport is collaborating with external experts and federal partners, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection, to investigate the incident.
While the full extent of the outage is still unknown, TSA’s passenger screening capabilities remain operational. However, the airport’s website and apps are not currently providing flight and baggage information, so passengers are advised to contact their airlines directly for updates.
Airlines like Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country, and several international carriers have been particularly impacted. Passengers are encouraged to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure times to allow for potential delays.
The cyberattack has also affected various airport services, including the SEA visitor pass and the airport’s lost and found department. While checkpoint wait times are not displayed on screens, airport officials assure travelers that the lines are manageable. Passengers are recommended to travel with carry-on luggage if possible and adhere to standard TSA packing guidelines.
While some airlines, such as Delta and Alaska Airlines, reported no service interruptions, the cyberattack has disrupted the Port of Seattle’s baggage sorting system. Consequently, airlines are advising passengers to avoid checking bags whenever possible to minimize potential delays.
This incident is not an isolated event. Several other sectors have recently experienced cyberattacks. In June, Advanced Micro Devices and Snowflake Inc. were targeted by hackers, while a cyberattack on CDK Global’s platform caused widespread outages at car dealerships across the United States. A Microsoft Corp. cloud service disruption in July affected airline operations, grounding flights and disrupting services across the globe. In August, concerns about the security of upcoming elections heightened after Donald Trump’s presidential campaign fell victim to a cyberattack.
Travelers are advised to allow extra time at the airport, utilize airline mobile applications for boarding passes and bag tags, and remain patient as airport staff work to resolve the issues caused by the cyberattack.
