Background on the Incident
In recent years, cyberattacks and digital failures have disrupted air travel worldwide. On Saturday, several European airports including Heathrow (London), Berlin, Brussels, and Dublin experienced delays and cancellations due to a cyberattack targeting the passenger and baggage registration system.
Key Players Involved
Collins Aerospace, a company providing registration services to 170 airports globally, acknowledged the disruption in their software MUSE at certain airports. The company did not specify the type or origin of the cyberattack.
Impact on Major Airports
- Brussels Airport: Experienced significant consequences in their flight schedule due to the cyberattack, leading to delays and cancellations. However, their own systems were not affected at the moment.
- Heathrow Airport (London): Reported long queues at check-in counters where manual registration and boarding were being conducted.
- Berlin Airport: Faced technical issues with a provider, while Dublin and Cork airports in Ireland experienced minor consequences.
Passenger Experience and Airport Advice
Passengers faced extended wait times, with some waiting for up to four hours. Maria Casey from Hampshire spent three hours in line at Heathrow to check her luggage manually. Airports advised passengers to verify flight status with their airlines and arrive early for registration procedures.
Cyberattacks in the Aviation Sector
The aviation industry increasingly relies on digitalized systems, making it vulnerable to cyberattacks. In the past year, there has been a 600% increase in ransomware attacks targeting aerospace, including airlines, airports, navigation systems, and subcontractors.
- Qantas: Australian airline suffered hacker attacks in July 2025, with sensitive data of six million customers compromised.
- Japan Airlines: Attacked in December 2024, highlighting the vulnerability of every link in the aviation chain.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is behind the attack? It’s difficult to determine who is responsible for this cyberattack, according to Anita Mendiratta, aviation advisor to the UN’s World Tourism Organization.
- What systems were affected? The cyberattack targeted software, not a specific airport, causing disruptions across multiple facilities.
- What measures are being taken? Experts emphasize the importance of containing the spread of such attacks and ensuring robust cybersecurity measures.
