Canadian Airports Hacked With Pro-Hamas Messages, Raising National Security Concerns

VICTORIA, B.C. — Flight information displays and public address systems at multiple Canadian airports were hijacked Tuesday, briefly broadcasting pro-Hamas messaging and anti-Israel and anti-U.S. statements, airport authorities and federal officials said. The incidents prompted immediate security responses and an ongoing investigation into whether the breaches were coordinated.

Kelowna International Airport said a third party gained access to terminal flight information display screens and the public address system, and that staff successfully removed the unauthorized messaging and restored most systems. Some flights were delayed while technicians worked to restore full service, the airport said.

Victoria International Airport confirmed it experienced an unauthorized audio message on Tuesday related to a cloud-based software service used for public announcements, and that it was working with law enforcement and cybersecurity partners to assess the intrusion. Windsor International Airport was also named by federal authorities as having experienced a similar incident. Transport Canada said similar intrusions were reported at multiple airports and that it was monitoring the situation with local and national partners.

Videos and photographs shared on social media show terminal screens and PA announcements playing chants and messages praising Hamas and denouncing Israeli and U.S. leaders. Officials stressed that while the messages were alarming and disruptive, there was no evidence that the incursions affected aircraft control systems or passenger safety. Investigators are examining whether cloud-based messaging platforms or third-party vendors were the point of compromise.

Dear @realDonaldTrump,

Canada's Kelowna airport had a serious security breach. Hacked with Hаmаs propaganda.

Mark Carney won't stand up to the Muslim Brotherhood, but will stand up for them.

🇨🇦 is a security threat to the world.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. pic.twitter.com/hm0DyMd3Nx

— dahlia kurtz ✡︎ דליה קורץ (@DahliaKurtz) October 15, 2025

“An unauthorized user gained access to the airport PA system,” an airport spokesperson said in a statement describing the Kelowna incident, adding that the airport had restored the displays and continued to work on the PA system. At least one airport official noted that the nature of the content raised concern beyond vandalism because it amplified an extremist political message in a public space.

Federal and provincial police agencies have opened investigations to determine the scope and origin of the attacks. Transport Canada said it was coordinating with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and cybercrime units, while Canadian authorities have been in contact with U.S. counterparts after similar incidents were reported at airports in the United States on the same day. Officials declined to speculate on attribution until forensic analysis is complete.

Security analysts say attacks that target information displays and public address systems are often designed to sow panic and propaganda rather than disrupt aviation operations. Still, the incidents highlight vulnerabilities in aviation-sector IT systems that rely on interconnected and sometimes cloud-based services. “While these systems are not tied directly to aircraft navigation or controls, they are critical to passenger information and airport operations and can be exploited to amplify disinformation or extremist messaging,” an independent cybersecurity analyst said.

Members of the Jewish and pro-Israel communities expressed alarm, citing the public broadcasting of pro-Hamas slogans in Canadian terminals as evidence that pro-Hamas activism has moved beyond protests to actions that can threaten public safety and social order. Community leaders urged authorities to treat the incidents as potential national security matters and to prioritize rapid forensic analysis and stronger protections for airport information systems.

“This is not merely online trolling,” one community spokesperson said. “When extremist propaganda is forced into public transportation hubs, it becomes a matter of public safety and national security.”

Transport Canada and local airport operators said they will review system access controls and vendor arrangements. Analysts recommend that airports isolate critical operational networks from public information systems, enforce multi-factor authentication for third-party services, and perform frequent security audits. Lawmakers in provincial and federal governments may press for updates to aviation cybersecurity standards in light of the breach.

Investigators are seeking to determine whether the incidents in Kelowna, Victoria, and Windsor were linked and whether the same actors were responsible for related intrusions reported in the United States. No group has publicly claimed responsibility. Authorities cautioned the public against sharing or amplifying graphic or inflammatory clips from the incidents while investigations are ongoing.

This episode comes amid ongoing tensions and public demonstrations related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Canadian security officials and community groups say the airport intrusions underscore the need to treat extremist support networks and sophisticated online actors as part of a broader national security challenge. Officials urged vigilance and cooperation from vendors, airport operators, and passengers.

This article is based on verified information from Global News, CityNews (Vancouver), Times Colonist, Castanet, and Pax Global Media.