A cyberattack has crippled automated check-in and boarding systems at major European airports including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin.
A cyberattack targeting a service provider for check-in and boarding systems has disrupted operations at several major European airports including London’s Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin, causing flight delays and cancellations, according to airport operators who confirmed the widespread impact Saturday morning.
Brussels Airport has been hit particularly hard by the cyber incident, with authorities requesting to cancel 50% of flights scheduled between 0400-1200 UTC today. The attack has rendered automated systems inoperable, allowing only manual check-in and boarding procedures, according to Brussels Airport.
“This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations of flights,” Brussels Airport said in a statement on its website. The airport’s automated systems, which normally handle thousands of passengers efficiently, have been completely compromised by the attack.
Collins Aerospace Identified as Target
A cyberattack on Collins Aerospace has disrupted check-in and boarding systems at several leading European airports, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies), provides critical aviation technology services to airports worldwide.
The company supplies check-in and boarding systems used by numerous airlines and airports across Europe, making it a high-value target for cybercriminals seeking to cause maximum disruption to air travel operations.
Widespread European Impact
London Heathrow and Berlin airport also said the attack was disrupting its flights, with passengers advised to confirm their travel with airlines before heading to airports. Heathrow warned of delays caused by “a technical issue” at a third-party supplier and told passengers to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.
