Article image
ALK

Alaska Air Group-owned Hawaiian Airlines Dealing With 'cybersecurity Event'

Original Source

What Happened and Why It Matters

Hawaiian Airlines is dealing with a cyberattack that hit some of its computer systems, but don't worry if you have flights booked – planes are still flying normally. The airline, which Alaska Air Group bought for £1.5 billion last September, says passenger travel hasn't been affected by this "cybersecurity event." Think of it like someone trying to break into your home computer, but your front door still works perfectly. Hawaiian Airlines can still operate flights safely while their IT experts work behind the scenes to fix the problem. This news sent Alaska Air Group's share price down on Friday, showing how quickly investors react when they hear about cyber problems. The company's stock has already dropped about 25% this year, so this latest issue adds to existing concerns.

The Bigger Picture: Alaska Air's Hawaiian Investment

Alaska Air Group completed its massive £1.5 billion purchase of Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024. To put that in perspective, that's enough money to buy about 75,000 average family homes. The deal was significant because it created a stronger airline network connecting the US mainland with Hawaii. The purchase paid off quickly. In the first quarter after the acquisition, Hawaiian Airlines helped Alaska Air Group post better-than-expected profits and sales. It's like buying a successful business that immediately starts contributing to your income. The US Department of Justice could have blocked this deal if they thought it would hurt competition, but they chose not to challenge it. This gave Alaska Air Group the green light to create what they hoped would be a more efficient airline operation.

Understanding Cybersecurity Attacks on Airlines

When airlines face cyberattacks, it's serious business. These companies handle massive amounts of personal data – your name, address, payment details, and travel plans. Think of an airline's computer system as a giant filing cabinet containing millions of customers' private information. Hawaiian Airlines says they're working with "appropriate experts and federal authorities." This means cybersecurity specialists and government agencies like the FBI are helping investigate what happened and how to prevent it happening again. The good news is that the airline's flight operations haven't been affected. Modern airlines separate their safety-critical systems from their business systems, so even if hackers get into booking computers, they can't access the systems that control aircraft.

What This Means for Passengers and Investors

If you're flying Hawaiian Airlines, your immediate travel plans shouldn't change. The airline confirms it's "safely operating its planes," which means pilots, air traffic control, and aircraft maintenance systems are working normally. However, you might experience some delays or issues with:
  • Online check-in systems
  • Booking changes or cancellations
  • Customer service response times
  • Loyalty programme access
For investors, this cyberattack adds another worry to Alaska Air Group's already challenging year. The company's shares have lost about a quarter of their value in 2025, and cybersecurity incidents often make investors nervous about potential costs and reputation damage.

The Financial Impact of Cyber Incidents

Cybersecurity breaches can be expensive for airlines. Companies often face costs for:
  • Hiring cybersecurity experts to fix the problem
  • Potential fines from regulators
  • Compensation to affected customers
  • Upgrading security systems
  • Lost business from worried customers
While Hawaiian Airlines hasn't disclosed the potential financial impact yet, similar incidents at other airlines have cost millions of pounds. British Airways, for example, faced a £183 million fine after a 2018 data breach, though this was later reduced.

Looking Forward: Recovery and Prevention

Hawaiian Airlines is taking the right steps by working with federal authorities and cybersecurity experts. Most airlines recover from these incidents within days or weeks, though the full investigation can take months. The airline industry has learned hard lessons about cybersecurity over the past decade. Companies now invest heavily in protecting their systems, but hackers are constantly developing new methods of attack. For Alaska Air Group, this incident tests how well their expanded airline network can handle challenges. The company invested £1.5 billion in Hawaiian Airlines partly to create a stronger, more resilient business. How they manage this cybersecurity crisis will show investors whether that investment is paying off. The aviation industry continues to face evolving cyber threats, making robust security systems essential for protecting both passenger data and business operations. Hawaiian Airlines' quick response and transparent communication suggest they're taking this incident seriously and working to resolve it as quickly as possible.

Related ALK Articles

No other articles available for ALK