Following alarming claims made by German IT Consultant, Hugo Teso, regarding his ability to ‘hack’ into navigational systems of aircraft, using only an Android app, the FAA and the EASA have issued statements to the contrary; neither feeling that his claims pose any real threat to flight safety.

According to Information Week, the FAA state that it “is aware that a German information technology consultant has alleged he has detected a security issue with the Honeywell NZ-2000 Flight Management System (FMS) using only a desktop computer,” and adds that the app does not, “pose a flight safety concern because it does not work on certified flight hardware.  The described technique cannot engage or control the aircraft’s autopilot system using the FMS or prevent a pilot from overriding the autopilot,” and says that, “a hacker cannot obtain ‘full control of an aircraft’ as the technology consultant has claimed.”

Teso claims to have carried out research, using the Android app in a closed, PC-based system with simulation software.  He alleges that flaws in the Honeywell NZ-2000 Flight Management System, particularly in the navigational security systems, would render it simple to use on a live aircraft to perform ‘tricks’, such as letting the oxygen masks fall from overhead.  On a more serious note, Teso goes on to allege that he could just as easily use the app to crash the plane into another aircraft during flight, which has, understandably, caused much panic in the aviation industry and public alike.

The European Aviation Safety Association (EASA) issued the following statement, “There are major differences between PC-based training FMS software and embedded FMS software.  In particular, the FMS simulation software does not have the same overwriting protection and redundancies that is included in the certified flight software.”

Airline passengers across the world will be relieved to learn that Hugo Tero won’t be releasing details of his exploitation methods and will be working with aviation governing bodies to make sure that the systems are updated if it is proved necessary.  The FAA and EASA cannot fully reassure concerns, however, as it remains to be seen whether the hack is a software issue or due to redundancies built into the systems, which, if proved, could lead to resourceful hackers finding other exploits or loopholes in the systems.

The airline Jet2 suspended flight operations from Belfast International Airport for two days, following concerns over the delay of maintenance issues on the main runway, due to the recent bad weather.  Jet2 had reported engine-related problems on three occasions, but there was no evidence to suggest it was related to the runway.

Despite assurances from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Jet2 switched flights to George Best Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport instead.

Belfast International Airport agreed to investigate their concerns, but Jet2 was the only airline to suspend flights or report any issues.

The company apologised, saying, “We would like to apologise for the inconvenience this has caused, however the safety of our customers is of paramount importance and we will not operate from Belfast International Airport’s main runway until the resurfacing has finished.”

Jet2 agreed to resume flights, using the airports’ alternative runway two days later.

They issued a statement that said, “This decision follows close consultation with the airport and a detailed safety assessment conducted today (Tuesday).  All our customers due to travel from Belfast International this week should go to the airport as normal.