A cyberattack targeting essential check-in and boarding systems caused significant disruptions and delays at multiple major European airports on Saturday. The incident, which began Friday night, forced airports to switch to manual operations, impacting thousands of travelers and flight schedules.
Key Takeaways
- A cyberattack on Friday night, September 19, affected check-in systems at several European airports.
- Brussels Airport, Berlin Brandenburg, and London Heathrow reported disruptions.
- The attack targeted Collins Aerospace's MUSE software, a key service provider for passenger handling.
- Airports resorted to manual check-in and boarding, leading to widespread flight delays.
- Collins Aerospace confirmed the cyber-related disruption and is working to restore full functionality.
Widespread Impact on European Air Travel
The cyberattack began on Friday evening, September 19, affecting critical infrastructure used by several European airports. Brussels Airport confirmed that its check-in and boarding systems were compromised. This led to a large impact on its flight schedules, forcing staff to manage passenger processing manually.
According to a statement from Brussels Airport, the incident specifically targeted a service provider responsible for these vital systems. Passengers experienced significant delays as a result of the operational changes. Airport authorities advised all travelers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport.
Impact Statistics
- Brussels Airport reported a "large impact" on flight schedules.
- London Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, also experienced issues.
- The attack affected systems provided by Collins Aerospace, a major aviation technology company.
Affected Airports and Service Provider
Beyond Brussels, Berlin's Brandenburg Airport also reported being affected. Authorities there stated that a service provider for passenger handling systems was attacked on Friday evening. In response, airport operators disconnected their systems to prevent further compromise.
London Heathrow Airport, which handles more passengers than any other airport in Europe, confirmed a "technical issue" with a service provider for its check-in and boarding systems. A statement from Heathrow identified the affected company as Collins Aerospace.
"Collins Aerospace, which provides check-in and boarding systems for several airlines across multiple airports globally, is experiencing a technical issue that may cause delays for departing passengers," Heathrow stated.
Collins Aerospace Confirms Disruption
Collins Aerospace, a U.S. aviation and defense technology firm, acknowledged the incident. Formed in 2018, Collins is a subsidiary of RTX Corp., formerly known as Raytheon Technologies. The company provides a wide range of aviation technology, including self-service kiosks that allow passengers to check in, print boarding passes, and dispatch luggage.
The company confirmed a "cyber-related disruption" to its MUSE (Multi-User System Environment) software. This software is crucial for electronic customer check-in and baggage drop services at select airports. Collins Aerospace stated that manual check-in operations remained possible, mitigating some of the disruption.
About Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace is a significant player in the global aviation industry. It supplies critical systems and components for commercial aircraft, business jets, and military platforms. Its MUSE software is widely used by airlines and airports for passenger processing, making it a key part of daily operations.
Mitigation Efforts and Ongoing Resolution
Collins Aerospace is actively working to resolve the issue.
"We are actively working to resolve the issue and restore full functionality to our customers as quickly as possible," the company announced. "The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations."
The ability to revert to manual processes was key in preventing a complete shutdown of operations at the affected airports. However, manual processing is significantly slower than automated systems, leading to longer queues and extended waiting times for passengers.
Geographic Scope of the Attack
While the attack caused significant problems at some locations, its impact was not universal across all European airports. For example, the major airports serving the Paris area, including Roissy, Orly, and Le Bourget, reported no disruptions. This suggests the attack was either targeted at specific systems or affected only certain airport clients of Collins Aerospace.
Travelers impacted by the delays were advised to maintain contact with their airlines for the latest information regarding their flights. Airport authorities and Collins Aerospace offered apologies for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
Key Details
- The incident occurred on Friday night, September 19.
- The affected software is Collins Aerospace's MUSE.
- Manual operations were implemented to manage check-ins.
- Airports in Paris (Roissy, Orly, Le Bourget) were not affected.
Future Implications for Aviation Security
This cyberattack highlights the ongoing vulnerability of critical infrastructure to digital threats. The aviation industry relies heavily on interconnected digital systems for everything from air traffic control to passenger check-in. Such incidents underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and rapid response protocols.
As technology advances, so do the methods used by malicious actors. Airlines and airport operators must continuously update their security frameworks to protect against evolving cyber threats. The incident serves as a reminder that even a disruption to a single service provider can have a cascading effect across multiple international hubs.
The investigation into the full scope and origin of the cyberattack is likely ongoing. Lessons learned from this event will inform future strategies for safeguarding air travel systems against similar incidents.
