Cyber attack at Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport has blamed a ‘speculative’ cyber attack for the failure of its flight display screens over two days.
Although the airport said there was no disruption to flights, some passengers complained on social media of baggage delays and lack of communication.
Extra staff were drafted in and had to resort to writing flight times on white boards with marker pens to keep passengers informed.
Passengers were advised to arrive early and allow extra time for check-in and boarding.
An airport spokesman told the BBC that information screens were taken offline early on Friday as a precautionary measure to contain an attack similar to so-called ‘ransomware’.
This is a malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid, although the spokesman said in this case there was no ransom paid.
Spokesman James Gore earlier told the BBC: “The indications are that this was a speculative attempt rather than targeted attack on Bristol Airport.”
He insisted that at no point was the safety or security of its systems impacted or put at risk.
An airport spokesman said this morning: “Established contingency plans were implemented to keep passengers informed about flight information. Flight operations remained unaffected.