A cyberattack targeting a service provider for check-in and boarding systems has caused widespread disruption at several major European airports, including Heathrow in London, Brussels Airport, and Berlin Airport. The incident on Saturday led to flight delays and cancellations, as automated systems became inoperable and airlines were forced to implement manual check-in and boarding procedures. Collins Aerospace, which provides these critical systems to multiple airports and airlines around the world, confirmed that a technical issue was affecting operations but has not provided immediate details on the cause of the disruption.
London’s Heathrow Airport warned passengers on Saturday about the delays, noting that the technical issues could significantly affect departing flights. Brussels Airport echoed the concerns, stating that the automated check-in and boarding processes were unavailable, forcing staff to handle procedures manually. In an official update, the airport emphasised that the service provider was actively working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible but acknowledged that flight schedules would be heavily impacted. Passengers were advised to confirm travel plans with their airlines before heading to the airport to avoid extended waiting times and potential cancellations.
Berlin Airport also reported disruptions, displaying a banner on its website explaining that longer wait times were expected due to technical difficulties at the service provider. The airport assured travelers that efforts were underway to find a rapid solution, although no specific timeframe for full restoration of systems was provided. Despite the disruptions affecting several key hubs, not all airports in Europe were impacted. Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s largest, confirmed that operations were normal, while Zurich Airport reported no interruptions to its services. The limited scope of the impact indicates that the cyberattack was contained to the provider’s systems rather than affecting the broader aviation network across the continent.
Collins Aerospace is a major supplier of automated check-in and boarding systems, and the incident underscores the critical dependency of airports on third-party service providers for essential operations. RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, was not immediately available for comment outside U.S. business hours. Airlines and airport authorities have urged passengers to remain vigilant and to check the status of their flights, highlighting the growing operational risks associated with cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the aviation sector. The incident has prompted discussions among aviation security and IT teams regarding contingency measures and the importance of rapid incident response to minimise disruptions caused by cyberattacks on infrastructure that supports global travel.
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