Photo courtesy of Travel Trade Journal

 

An Aeroflot flight bound for Novosibirsk made an unexpected return to Phuket International Airport yesterday morning, shortly after takeoff. While the airline cited a "technical malfunction," the issue coincides with a recent cyberattack on Aeroflot's IT systems, fuelling speculation about possible connections.

 

Flight SU637, an Airbus A330, lifted off at 9.53 am local time, approximately 30 minutes behind schedule. FlightRadar24 data revealed the aircraft circled over Phuket for almost an hour before landing safely back at the airport. By 7.20 pm, the plane, identified as RA-73782, remained grounded.

 

The Russian-language news outlet, Novosti Phuketa, in collaboration with The Phuket News, noted the absence of any statement from Aeroflot on its platforms. However, Novaya Sibir, another Russian publication, reported that the return was due to a detected technical issue shortly after departure.

 

Aeroflot confirmed a cyberattack on its systems the previous Monday, July 28, which led to significant disruptions. The airline claimed normal operations resumed by the next morning but did not specify any connection to flight SU637. This lack of detail has sparked online debates among passengers and aviation enthusiasts about whether the flight might have been indirectly affected by the cyber incident.

 

Passengers of SU637 have been accommodated in Phuket, with a new departure scheduled for today, July 30. It remains unclear if the original aircraft will be used or if a replacement will be provided. Aeroflot has yet to announce a timeline for the aircraft's clearance for departure.

 

In the meantime, passengers must endure an unexpected extension of their Thai getaway, adding a touch of stress to their tropical holiday.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-30

 

 

I didn't know an aircraft could be cyber attacked ?

Everything is Karma for Russians. Under the sanctions, their fleet doesn't have technical services and any parts to mend the crafts. They even exploit 50 year old planes, if you have heard about recent air crash there ... Wish them further "grounding"!

I'm glad to see that the Aeroflot crew returned to the airport after discovering the operating system malfunction, even if it was minor. If this was due to a "cyberattack," I hope the perpetrators are found and prosecuted. I'd even think "Attempted Homocide" times the number of passengers and flight crew might be legitimate charges.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

I didn't know an aircraft could be cyber attacked ?

I doubt it (but it might be possible with massive and reckless actions on the part of someone with access to an individual aircraft).  Reading the OP it seems like the cyber attack was on back-office IT systems that support the airline's operations.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

I didn't know an aircraft could be cyber attacked ?

Just so that you know, an aircraft cannot be cyber attacked

52 minutes ago, HK MacPhooey said:

Just so that you know, an aircraft cannot be cyber attacked

Not cyber attack but still systems are not immune to hacking.

 

Airplane hacked through entertainment system | Engineering and Technology Magazine https://share.google/OejQmDQm0ScUXJVYq

 

 

 

I would NEVER fly on an Aeroflot plane.

10 minutes ago, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

 

I would NEVER fly on an Aeroflot plane.

Neither Would I M8 !!!

It’s too bad they are allowed to land here unlike EU or USA as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

2 hours ago, WDSmart said:

I'm glad to see that the Aeroflot crew returned to the airport after discovering the operating system malfunction, even if it was minor. If this was due to a "cyberattack," I hope the perpetrators are found and prosecuted. I'd even think "Attempted Homocide" times the number of passengers and flight crew might be legitimate charges.

They must get what they deserve! "Perpetrators" must be praised and rewarded!

2 hours ago, HK MacPhooey said:

Just so that you know, an aircraft cannot be cyber attacked

I was being sarcastic... I was an aircraft engineer for 40 years

More likely the dispatch team back at base couldn't support the flight

Russia’s Aeroflot crippled after mass attack by Ukraine, Belarus groups: Dozens of flights cancelled:

 

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I didn't know an aircraft could be cyber attacked ?

https://thehackernews.com/2015/05/fbi-plane-hacking.html

 

Maybe not cyber attacked, but this gets quite close. And could potentially be done remotely if some additional hardware was smuggled on the plane.

 

Not an easy feat, though.

 

 

 

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Travel Trade Journal

That's Boeing 737 NG. Below is A330, which was actually involved in this incident:

 

4 hours ago, Aleksey75 said:

Everything is Karma for Russians. Under the sanctions, their fleet doesn't have technical services and any parts to mend the crafts. They even exploit 50 year old planes, if you have heard about recent air crash there ... Wish them further "grounding"!

and all of that karma could be avoided if they leave Ukarine

The aircrew heard they were being called up so decided they would rather stay in Thailand.

17 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

and all of that karma could be avoided if they leave Ukarine

Karma is a delusion and can be avoided if you just quit believing in it.

1 hour ago, Aleksey75 said:

They must get what they deserve! "Perpetrators" must be praised and rewarded!

If the reason you think that way is that you are okay with the killing of any Russians, including civilians, that is exactly what Russia is doing now in Ukraine, and Israel is doing in Gaza. If this had been a plane full of Russian soldiers bound for Ukraine, I could better understand your feelings, but it was Russian tourists, and probably some non-Russians also. In that case, and IMO, there is no excuse for trying to disable the plane and maybe cause it to crash. 

It looks like they had a problem right during takeoff.

 

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/su637#3b78c7da

 

 

Surprised russian airlines still allowed to land in Thailand. Not only for their totally illegal invasion of Ukraine, but also for their complicity in the Cambodian attacks (irrefutable Sig Int placing Russian Military in the combat zone). Kick ALL Russians out and impound their stolen airliners!

On 7/31/2025 at 1:49 PM, WDSmart said:

If the reason you think that way is that you are okay with the killing of any Russians, including civilians, that is exactly what Russia is doing now in Ukraine, and Israel is doing in Gaza. If this had been a plane full of Russian soldiers bound for Ukraine, I could better understand your feelings, but it was Russian tourists, and probably some non-Russians also. In that case, and IMO, there is no excuse for trying to disable the plane and maybe cause it to crash. 

All Russians pay taxes there, so they support the war machine, all are responsible for their deeds there...

3 minutes ago, Aleksey75 said:

On 7/31/2025 at 1:49 PM, WDSmart said:

If the reason you think that way is that you are okay with the killing of any Russians, including civilians, that is exactly what Russia is doing now in Ukraine, and Israel is doing in Gaza. If this had been a plane full of Russian soldiers bound for Ukraine, I could better understand your feelings, but it was Russian tourists, and probably some non-Russians also. In that case, and IMO, there is no excuse for trying to disable the plane and maybe cause it to crash. 

All Russians pay taxes there, so they support the war machine, all are responsible for their deeds there...

Two things..
- Probably not all people on this plane were Russian citizens. Most international flights have passengers from a variety of countries, although most are, I agree, citizens of the destination city.
- Not everyone who is a citizen or pays taxes in a country supports all of their country's actions. I'm a good example of that. I am a citizen and pay taxes in the USA, but do not support most of the actions of our current government, which is dictated to by our current president, Trump.

On 8/2/2025 at 8:31 AM, WDSmart said:

Two things..
- Probably not all people on this plane were Russian citizens. Most international flights have passengers from a variety of countries, although most are, I agree, citizens of the destination city.
- Not everyone who is a citizen or pays taxes in a country supports all of their country's actions. I'm a good example of that. I am a citizen and pay taxes in the USA, but do not support most of the actions of our current government, which is dictated to by our current president, Trump.

Good for you. That's why I'm happy that I don't have anything from my own country - only passport is left. I work and pay taxes here in Thailand. No bank accounts, no credits or taxes in Russia since 2013.