South African Airways (SAA) has confirmed recovery of its digital systems after a “significant cyber incident” disrupted website access, mobile app services, and internal operations beginning May 3.
The national carrier stated that core flight schedules and critical customer service channels, including contact centers and sales offices, remained operational due to swift activation of disaster management protocols.
In an official statement, SAA emphasized that the breach was contained promptly, minimizing operational interruptions. During the outage, customers relied on call centers for bookings and inquiries, with full system functionality restored shortly afterward. While the airline did not specify the attack’s nature, cybersecurity experts noted rising ransomware threats in South Africa, where both public and private entities have faced escalating breaches over the past year.
A forensic investigation is underway, with mandatory reports submitted to the State Security Agency, South African Police Service, and Information Regulator. SAA, designated a national key point due to its strategic importance, has yet to confirm whether customer or employee data was compromised. Affected individuals will be notified directly if personal information is implicated, the airline assured.
“The security of our systems and protection of consumer data remain paramount,” said SAA Group CEO John Lamola. “We are committed to addressing root causes, enhancing safeguards, and mitigating future risks.”
The incident underscores broader vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure as cyberattacks surge globally. Aviation sectors, particularly airlines managing sensitive traveler data, face increasing targeting by sophisticated threat actors. Analysts stress the urgency of proactive cybersecurity investments and cross-sector collaboration to defend against evolving digital threats, reinforcing public confidence in essential services.
Authorities continue urging organizations to adopt stringent incident response strategies, reflecting a heightened focus on resilience amid South Africa’s growing cybersecurity challenges.
