A massive cyberattack disrupted check-in and boarding systems at major European airports including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. Over 500 flights delayed or cancelled. Delhi Airport issues advisory for Europe-bound passengers.
Summary
- Cyberattack on third-party provider disrupted check-in and boarding systems at major European hubs.
- Heathrow, Brussels, Berlin-Brandenburg, Dublin, and Cork airports faced long delays and cancellations.
- Brussels Airport cancelled 50% of scheduled flights to avoid chaos.
- Delhi Airport and Air India issued advisories warning of disruptions on Europe-bound flights.
- Experts call the cyberattack “deeply concerning,” with suspicions of Russian involvement.
Cyberattack Sparks Chaos Across European Airports
A major cyberattack targeting a third-party service provider on Saturday, September 20, disrupted flight operations at some of Europe’s busiest airports, including London Heathrow, Brussels, Berlin-Brandenburg, Dublin, and Cork.
The attack crippled automated check-in and baggage drop systems, forcing airlines to switch to manual operations and leaving thousands of passengers stranded in long queues. Aviation authorities confirmed that more than 500 flights were delayed or cancelled in Europe within hours of the disruption.
Heathrow and Brussels Among Worst Hit
London’s Heathrow Airport confirmed that the outage was linked to Collins Aerospace, a global supplier of airport technology. Its parent company, RTX, said the issue was a “cyber-related disruption” to its MUSE (Multi-User System Environment), which powers check-in and boarding systems for multiple airlines.
At Brussels Airport, officials were forced to cancel half of all departing flights scheduled for Sunday, fearing overcrowding and operational collapse. “To avoid long queues and last-minute cancellations, we decided to proactively cut departures by 50%,” a spokesperson told Reuters.
Flight Cancellations and Passenger Frustration
According to aviation data trackers, as of early evening in Europe:
- Heathrow reported 445 delays and 18 cancellations.
- Brussels recorded 254 delays and 21 cancellations.
- Berlin-Brandenburg faced 202 delays and 2 cancellations.
Passengers at Heathrow’s Terminal 4 described chaotic scenes with queues stretching near the entrance, while tempers flared as airlines struggled to provide timely updates.
Impact Felt in India: Delhi Airport Issues Advisory
The disruption had ripple effects beyond Europe. Delhi Airport released an advisory, warning travelers of possible delays on Europe-bound flights.
“Due to cyberattacks impacting European airports, including London Heathrow, Europe-bound flights to and from Delhi Airport may experience disruptions. Passengers are advised to check with airlines for the latest updates,” the advisory said.
Air India also issued a statement, urging passengers flying from Heathrow to complete web check-in in advance to minimize inconvenience.
Who is Behind the Cyberattack?
While no group has yet claimed responsibility, cybersecurity experts warned that the attack could be linked to criminal organizations or state actors.
The European Commission said it was closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, UK’s Liberal Democrats demanded clarity on possible Russian involvement, citing concerns that the Kremlin could be behind the attack.
“If the Kremlin is behind this, causing chaos at our busiest airport, the government must respond firmly,” Liberal Democrat spokesperson Calum Miller said.
Aviation Industry Raises Concerns
Aviation expert Paul Charles, CEO of The PC Agency and former Virgin Atlantic communications director, called the incident “deeply concerning.”
“Collins Aerospace is one of the most experienced system suppliers in the world. The fact that it has been hit shows the growing vulnerability of global aviation to cyberattacks,” he said.
The Road Ahead
With European travel already under pressure from high passenger demand, the cyberattack has highlighted the fragility of aviation IT systems. Airlines are working with Collins Aerospace to restore normalcy, but experts warn that more disruptions could follow if vulnerabilities are not quickly patched.
For now, passengers flying to or through Europe are urged to check flight status regularly, complete web check-in where possible, and arrive early at airports to avoid last-minute chaos.