A massive cyber attack has caused chaos across several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin Brandenburg, leaving thousands of travelers stranded or delayed. According to a BBC report, the incident knocked out critical check-in and baggage systems, forcing airlines to revert to manual boarding using pen and paper.
On Saturday, Brussels Airport confirmed that 44 departing flights had been canceled and warned passengers to expect long queues and extended wait times. Similarly, Heathrow Airport reported hours-long delays, with nearly 47% of its flights affected. Despite the disruption, British Airways was able to operate most flights using a backup system, as reported by Reuters.
The cyber attack targeted Collins Aerospace’s Muse software, which allows multiple airlines to share check-in desks and boarding gates. RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged the cyber-related disruption and assured the public it is working urgently to restore services.
Other airports such as Dublin and Cork reported minor impacts, while Berlin Brandenburg Airport advised passengers to use online or self-service check-in to avoid delays. Europe’s aviation safety agency Eurocontrol requested airlines reduce flight schedules to manage congestion.
The European Commission and the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre are closely monitoring the situation to assess the scale of the breach. This incident follows a major IT crash in July linked to a software issue from Crowdstrike, which caused widespread aviation delays worldwide.
For travelers, experts recommend checking flight statuses before heading to the airport and contacting airlines directly for updates.
