Deliberate Sabotage of Internet Infrastructure Disrupts Flights at Sacramento Airport

In a disturbing act of vandalism, AT&T's internet cables near Sacramento International Airport were deliberately cut, leading to significant delays for Southwest and Delta airlines. The sabotage occurred early in the morning, causing disruptions that lasted for hours and affected numerous passengers.

The incident was first reported around 01:15 AM, with the internet outage severely impacting airline operations, particularly those of Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The disruption was most notable at check-in services, where the absence of internet forced airline staff to revert to manual processes, resulting in long queues and extended wait times.

Authorities, led by Amar Gandhi of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, described the sabotage as precise and targeted. The cut cables were located 2.5 miles from the airport on a telephone pole, suggesting that the saboteurs had specific knowledge about the infrastructure. This act of vandalism not only caused immediate logistical challenges but also raised concerns over the security of critical infrastructure linked to air travel.

As operations slowly resumed, the impact of the internet outage was still being felt with residual delays. By early morning, some flights began to depart, but full normalization of airport services took several hours. This incident highlighted the vulnerability of airport operations to technological disruptions and the need for enhanced security measures.

Amidst this challenge, Sacramento International Airport is undergoing significant expansions, including the introduction of biometric technology and a $1.3 billion improvement program aimed at enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency. These upgrades underscore the airport's commitment to modernization and resilience in the face of growing threats to infrastructure.