Japan Airlines hit by cyberattack, delaying flights during year-end holiday season

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan Airlines has been hit by a cyberattack that caused delays to more than 20 domestic flights. The carrier said there was no impact on flight safety. JAL said the problem started Thursday morning when the company's network connecting internal and external systems began malfunctioning. The airline said the cyberattack delayed 24 domestic flights for more than 30 minutes, and the impact could expand later in the day. JAL said it temporarily suspended ticket sales for both domestic and international fights scheduled for departure on Thursday. The government spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, told reporters the transport ministry had urged the airline to hasten efforts to restore the system and to accommodate affected passengers.