Brussels: A cyberattack on a third-party system provider has caused widespread flight disruptions at several major European airports, including London's Heathrow, as well as Brussels and Berlin, authorities said Saturday. The attack specifically targeted the systems responsible for automated check-in and boarding, resulting in significant delays and cancellations.
According to Anadolu Agency, Brussels Airport confirmed at least four flight cancellations on Saturday morning, affecting routes to destinations such as Rwanda and Amsterdam. The Friday night attack incapacitated automated check-in and boarding systems, forcing the airport to rely on manual check-in procedures. The airport warned travelers of a 'large impact on the flight schedule' with the potential for further delays and cancellations.
Berlin Airport also issued a warning to passengers about experiencing 'longer wait times than usual' due to the cyberattack. In a notice on its website, the airport assured passengers that efforts were underway to find a quick solution to the disruption.
Similar disruptions were reported at London Heathrow, where travelers were cautioned about possible delays. The issue was attributed to a 'technical issue' at Collins Aerospace, the company that provides check-in and boarding systems to several airlines worldwide. Heathrow advised passengers to verify their flight status with their respective airlines and noted that additional staff had been deployed to manage the situation.
Collins Aerospace confirmed that its MUSE software, which facilitates passenger check-in and baggage drop at select airports, was the target of the cyberattack. The company stated that the impact was confined to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop, and manual operations could be used as a workaround. Collins Aerospace assured that they are working diligently to restore full functionality as quickly as possible.
Despite the disruption, EasyJet reported that its operations remained unaffected. Meanwhile, authorities in Brussels and Berlin indicated that the duration of the cyber-related outage remains uncertain as efforts to resolve the issue continue.