In a startling breach of public infrastructure, hackers infiltrated the public address (PA) systems at four North American airports this week, broadcasting politically charged messages that included anti-Trump rhetoric and pro-Hamas slogans. The incidents—occurring at three Canadian airports and one U.S. facility—have reignited urgent conversations about the vulnerability of seemingly noncritical airport systems.
What Happened?
On October 14 and 15, 2025, travelers at Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) in Pennsylvania and Kelowna International Airport (YLW) in British Columbia were startled to hear unscheduled announcements over terminal loudspeakers. The messages, described by officials as “political statements,” included explicit anti-Trump sentiments and expressions of support for Hamas amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict .
By October 16, authorities confirmed that two additional Canadian airports—Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International (YWG) and Regina International (YQR)—had also experienced similar intrusions .
Minimal Disruption, Major Concerns
While airport officials emphasized that flight operations, security screenings, and baggage systems remained unaffected, the psychological and reputational impact was significant. “The disruption was minimal from an operational standpoint, but the breach of public trust is real,” said a spokesperson for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority .
These PA systems—often overlooked in cybersecurity planning—are considered “noncritical” infrastructure. Yet their high visibility makes them prime targets for attention-grabbing cyber protests, or “hacktivism.”
How Did the Hack Occur?
Preliminary investigations suggest the attackers exploited outdated software and weak network segmentation. In several cases, the PA systems were connected to the same internal network used for digital signage and administrative functions—without adequate firewalls or intrusion detection .
Experts warn this is not an isolated incident. “Airport PA systems are low-hanging fruit,” said Dr. Lena Cho, a cybersecurity analyst at the Global Infrastructure Defense Institute. “They’re rarely patched, often run on legacy Windows systems, and are rarely monitored for anomalous audio output.”
Timeline of the Airport Hacks
| Date | Airport | Location | Message Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 2025 | Harrisburg International | Pennsylvania, USA | Anti-Trump political statement |
| Oct 15, 2025 | Kelowna International | British Columbia, Canada | Pro-Hamas, anti-Israel slogans |
| Oct 15, 2025 | Winnipeg International | Manitoba, Canada | Similar political audio |
| Oct 15, 2025 | Regina International | Saskatchewan, Canada | Similar political audio |
Who’s Behind the Attacks?
No group has claimed responsibility as of October 17, 2025. However, cybersecurity firms note similarities to past operations by decentralized hacktivist collectives sympathetic to Palestinian causes. The FBI and Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE) have launched a joint investigation .
Broader Implications for Airport Security
This incident underscores a growing trend: attackers targeting “soft” infrastructure to sow confusion and amplify political messages. While no flights were delayed, the event exposed a critical blind spot.
Airports worldwide are now reviewing their network architectures, with many planning to isolate public-facing systems like PA units, digital signage, and kiosks onto separate, hardened networks.
What Travelers Should Know
- Flight safety was never compromised.
- Always verify announcements via official airport apps or staff.
- Report suspicious audio or screen messages to authorities immediately.
Sources
Ashley J. DiMella, “Hacker hijacks airport speakers, blasts anti-Trump and other political messages,” The Associated Press, October 16, 2025.
“Hacker hijacks airport PA system to play anti-Trump message,” Local 21 News, October 14, 2025.
“Canada, US Airports Hacked With Pro-Hamas, Anti-Trump Messages,” The New York Times, October 16, 2025.
“B.C. airport display screens, PA system hacked with pro-Hamas messages,” Global News Canada, October 15, 2025.
