Major European aviation hubs, including London's Heathrow and Brussels Airport, are experiencing significant delays and flight cancellations. This disruption follows a suspected cyberattack on an external service provider's check-in systems. Thousands of passengers have been affected since Friday, with airports working to restore full operations.
The incident has led to longer waiting times at check-in counters and a number of flight changes across the continent. Authorities are investigating the full scope of the attack and its impact on air travel.
Key Takeaways
- Heathrow and Brussels airports confirm ongoing disruptions due to a cyberattack.
- The attack targeted external check-in and boarding systems.
- Thousands of passengers have faced delays and cancellations since Friday.
- Manual check-in processes are in place at some locations.
- Irish airports, Dublin and Cork, reported minor impacts from the issue.
Widespread Disruption at Key Airports
London's Heathrow Airport, the United Kingdom's largest and busiest, announced early on Sunday that it is still working to resolve and recover from the system outage. The airport apologized to customers experiencing delays. Heathrow typically handles over 200,000 passengers daily. In July alone, it recorded more than 7.9 million outbound and inbound passengers.
Meanwhile, Berlin's Brandenburg Airport also reported system outages on its website. Passengers there were advised to expect longer waiting times. Berlin Airport served 25.5 million passengers in 2024, with an average daily count of nearly 70,000 travelers.
Fact File: Airport Traffic
- Heathrow Airport: Over 200,000 passengers daily.
- Heathrow Airport (July): More than 7.9 million passengers.
- Berlin Airport (2024 total): 25.5 million passengers.
- Berlin Airport (Daily average): Almost 70,000 passengers.
Brussels Airport Confirms Cyberattack
Brussels Airport confirmed late on Friday that it had suffered a cyberattack. This attack targeted an external service provider responsible for check-in and boarding systems. As a result, the airport reported at least 10 flight cancellations and 17 delayed flights. The airport stated that difficult operations and further cancellations were expected until Sunday.
"As a result of a cyberattack on the external service provider of the check-in and boarding systems, check-in operations at several European airports, including Brussels Airport, are heavily disrupted," Brussels Airport announced on its X account late on Saturday.
Background: Collins Aerospace
The airport service provider, Collins Aerospace, confirmed a "cyber-related disruption" to its MUSE software. This software is used in select airports globally. The company stated that the impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop services. Collins Aerospace operates in 170 airports worldwide.
Impact on Passengers and Airline Operations
Eurocontrol, the aviation watchdog, noted that airports were reporting disruptions in IT systems related to passenger handling. Airlines were advised to cancel half of their flights to and from Brussels between 04:00 GMT on Saturday and 02:00 GMT on Monday due to the online attack.
Passengers at Heathrow described a chaotic scene. A 41-year-old architect waiting for a Saudia Airlines flight to Jeddah told AFP that information was scarce. "They didn't tell us anything. It's always crowded here, but today is like extra," she said. She expressed hope that her flight would be delayed if the system remained down.
Another passenger waiting for an Air Algerie flight to Algeria reported queuing for over an hour. This airline was processing check-ins manually. This highlights the challenges when automated systems fail.
Previous Incidents and Industry Vulnerabilities
This incident is not isolated. The transport industry has faced several cyberattacks and technical disruptions in recent years. In December 2024, Japan Airlines and American Airlines experienced temporary system shutdowns. France's national rail operator also faced a suspected sabotage attack in July 2024, ahead of the Paris Olympics.
In Ireland, Dublin and Cork airports reported "minor impacts" from a "Europe-wide software issue" related to the recent aviation attack. Dublin Airport advised passengers to contact their airline directly for flight updates, noting that some disruption was possible.
Earlier this year, Heathrow Airport experienced a power outage caused by a fire. This incident shut down Europe's busiest airport for a day, causing significant travel chaos for tens of thousands of travelers.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
Airport authorities and IT teams are working to restore the affected systems. The focus remains on minimizing further disruption and ensuring passenger safety. The scale of the cyberattack underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to digital threats.
Travelers planning to fly through affected European airports are strongly advised to check their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport. This proactive step can help manage expectations and avoid prolonged waiting times.
