Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline, has suspended its operations at Moscow’s major Sheremetyevo Airport due to a suspected cyberattack. The company, which is owned by the Russian government, has canceled 22 outbound and 3,100 inbound flights. The disruptions have affected both Aeroflot’s own services and its subsidiary, Rossiya Airlines. The incident has prompted questions about the resilience of Russia’s digital infrastructure and its capacity to manage critical systems in the face of cyber threats.
Interfax, a pro-government news agency, reported that the cyberattack has caused significant operational challenges. While the exact nature of the attack is still under investigation, the airline has not disclosed details about the source or the extent of the damage. The cancellation of flights has led to delays and cancellations for thousands of passengers, with some flights being redirected to alternative airports in an attempt to mitigate the impact.
Industry experts suggest that cyberattacks on transportation systems are becoming increasingly common, with state-sponsored groups often being the primary perpetrators. The situation has raised concerns about the security of global air travel and the potential for similar attacks on other critical infrastructure. Aeroflot has stated that it is working closely with cybersecurity experts to identify the source of the breach and restore normal operations as soon as possible.