On Monday, the Allied Pilots Association (APA), the preeminent labour union representing 15,000 dedicated pilots of American Airlines, revealed that its systems fell victim to a ransomware attack. Established in 1963, the APA stands as the foremost independent trade union for pilots globally.
With a membership exceeding 15,000 pilots within the airline, the union made an announcement on its official website, disclosing the initial detection of the cyberattack on October 30. Engaging an undisclosed cybersecurity firm for a thorough examination, it was confirmed that the union had indeed fallen prey to a ransomware assault. This investigation revealed that certain systems had been subjected to encryption.
"As a result, the restoration of those systems has entailed a methodical and time-consuming process for our IT team and outside experts. As we work to recover from backups, we are also continuing to assess potential impacts to data, including member data. Investigations of this nature often take time to complete,” the experts said.
Collaborating closely with external specialists, the organization's IT team is diligently engaged in the process of restoring their systems. Encouragingly, they reported that these efforts are steadily advancing, indicating that they are on track to reinstate certain services online in the near future.
“Once the initial restoration is in place, we will continue to restore additional services over the coming hours and days, placing a priority on pilot-facing products and tools. We are working diligently to be fully operational as soon as possible while keeping the security of our systems front and center, the union explained," the company added.
Taking to social media channels, the union relayed that the cybersecurity incident was initiated in the early hours of October 30. While a portion of essential services has been reinstated over the course of the week, the organization has committed to keeping stakeholders informed with regular updates on their ongoing efforts.
Over the past half-year, the aviation sector has been confronting a relentless wave of cyberattacks. Just this week, a major airport in Mexico, known for its high traffic volume, fell victim to a cyber intrusion. Additionally, Boeing, a prominent aircraft manufacturer, acknowledged its active response to a cyberattack affecting its parts and distribution operations, underscoring the persistent threat faced by the industry.