Massive Cyberattack Hits European Airports, Several Flights Delayed, Cancelled
Travelers across Europe faced chaos this weekend as a suspected cyber attack disrupted flight operations at several major airports, including London, Brussels, and Berlin.
The issue began Friday night, September 19, when Collins Aerospace, the company that provides automated check-in and boarding systems for airlines worldwide, reported a “technical disruption.” The outage forced staff at multiple airports to switch to manual check-in, leading to long queues, delays, and cancellations.
Heathrow Confirms Technical Problems
London’s Heathrow Airport quickly apologized on social media, warning passengers that delays were likely. “Additional staff are available in check-in areas to assist and help minimize disruption,” the airport stated. Passengers were advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Brussels Airport Hit Hard
By Saturday, Brussels Airport was also severely affected. Officials confirmed that only manual check-in and boarding were possible, forcing airlines to cancel nearly half of their flights between Saturday morning and early Sunday.
Berlin and Other Airports Report Disruptions
Berlin Airport reported “longer wait times,” while Germany’s Münster/Osnabrück Airport said it was indirectly impacted but managed to reroute its systems internally.
Company Responds to Cyber Disruption
Collins Aerospace’s parent company, RTX, acknowledged the problem, saying:
“We are aware of a cyber-related disruption to our MUSE software in select airports. We are working quickly to restore full functionality. In the meantime, manual check-in operations are helping reduce delays.”
Passengers Frustrated but Airports Coping
Many passengers shared their experiences online. Some described hours-long waits, while others noted that airports were managing the disruption better than expected. One traveler said staff were pulling passengers from queues to make sure they didn’t miss flights.
With thousands of travelers affected, airlines and airports are continuing to advise passengers to stay updated on flight schedules before heading out.
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