FBI, Cyber Experts Warn of New Hacking Threat Aimed at Airlines and Transportation

The FBI and top cybersecurity experts are raising the alarm: a notorious group of hackers known as Scattered Spider has started setting its sights on airlines and other parts of the transportation world.

In a short but serious statement shared with TechCrunch on Friday, the FBI said it had “recently observed” cyberattacks that match Scattered Spider’s usual tactics—this time, specifically aimed at the airline industry.

Experts from Google’s security team at Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 also confirmed they’ve seen signs of these attacks targeting aviation companies. And that has many people in the industry worried.

Scattered Spider is a loosely organized group of hackers, often made up of young people—many of them just teenagers or in their early twenties. They’re not just in it for the thrill; they’re after money. Their goal is to break into company systems, steal sensitive data, and demand payments—sometimes using extreme tricks and intimidation.

What’s especially concerning is how they get in. They don’t just rely on technical hacks; they manipulate people. They use fake identities, clever phishing emails, and sometimes even scare tactics directed at customer support teams to break through company defenses. In some cases, they’ve used ransomware to lock systems and hold data hostage.

According to the FBI, Scattered Spider isn’t just after big airlines. They’re also going after third-party companies—IT vendors, contractors, and other businesses that are part of the wider airline system. That means almost anyone connected to an airline could be a target.

And this isn’t just a hypothetical threat. Two airlines have already been hit this month.

Hawaiian Airlines confirmed late Thursday that it’s working to contain a cyberattack that affected its systems. Meanwhile, WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, is still dealing with an ongoing cyberattack that began on June 13. News reports suggest Scattered Spider may be behind it.

This isn’t the first time Scattered Spider has caused chaos. Just recently, they went after retailers in the U.K. and insurance companies. In the past, they’ve broken into hotel chains, casinos, and even some of the biggest tech companies in the world.

The threat is real—and growing.

As of today, the FBI has issued an updated warning, urging everyone in the airline and transportation industries to stay alert and take extra steps to protect their systems.