New Delhi: A sophisticated cyberattack targeting a key service provider has disrupted operations at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin, causing significant delays and cancellations for thousands of passengers.
According to airport officials, the attack struck late Friday night, crippling automated check-in and boarding systems provided by Collins Aerospace — a global leader in aviation technology. As a result, airports were forced to revert to manual check-in and boarding procedures, leading to long queues and extended waiting times for travellers.
Brussels Airport spokesperson Ariane Goosens confirmed, “One of our external service providers, who provides us with a system for passenger check-in and boarding, was hit by a cyberattack last night. This is impacting Brussels Airport but also other European airports. What we’re seeing this morning is that there’s still no solution yet.”
London’s Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, also warned of delays, stating that the technical issue could cause disruptions for departing passengers. Berlin Airport reported similar problems, while Frankfurt and Zurich airports confirmed they were not affected by the incident.
The attack rendered automated systems inoperable, forcing staff to handle all check-ins and boardings manually. This shift not only slowed down operations but also led to the cancellation and delay of numerous flights, particularly at Brussels Airport, where the impact was described as “large” and ongoing.
Collins Aerospace, the affected service provider, acknowledged the cyber-related disruption and assured that they were working urgently to restore full functionality. “The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations,” the company said in a statement.
Passengers scheduled to travel on Saturday were advised to check their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport and to arrive well in advance due to the expected delays.
As of Saturday morning, there was no official word on the source or motive behind the cyberattack, and no group had claimed responsibility.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats, especially in the aviation sector.
With airports and airlines working round the clock to resolve the issue, travellers are urged to stay updated through official channels and prepare for possible disruptions in the coming days.