Heathrow and Major European Airports Hit by Cyber-Attack, Causing Delays and Disruption
A cyber-attack targeting a third-party service provider has led to widespread flight delays and cancellations across several major European airports, including London Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The breach disrupted automated check-in, boarding, and baggage drop systems, forcing airports to switch to manual processes.
What Happened
The attacker struck during the night of 19 September, compromising the systems of Collins Aerospace, a U.S. firm that supplies check-in and boarding software (its “MUSE” system) to multiple European airports. The disruption meant that electronic check-in kiosks, automated baggage drop points, and related automated customer service functions were unavailable. Airports had to fall back on manual check-in and boarding.
Where It’s Hit Hardest
London Heathrow reported delays for departing passengers and urged people to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. Heathrow has also deployed extra staff to assist. Brussels Airport saw at least 10 flights cancelled and many others delayed by approximately one hour or more. Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport confirmed longer queues and wait times, saying that some systems were deliberately disconnected as a precaution.
Who’s Affected and Who Isn’t
Airlines using systems provided by Collins Aerospace are impacted; some, like British Airways, appear less affected thanks to backup or alternate systems. Frankfurt and Zurich airports confirmed that they are not affected. Paris airports (CDG, Orly, Le Bourget) likewise reported no disruption.
Response & Advice
Collins Aerospace acknowledged a “cyber-related disruption”, saying it is working to restore full functionality. Passengers at affected airports are being told to: Check flight status with their airline before travelling. Arrive no more than three hours before long-haul flights, or two hours prior for shorter journeys. Airports are deploying additional staff to assist with the manual check-in & boarding process.
Wider Implications
Experts warn that this incident shows the vulnerability of shared systems in the aviation sector: when a central provider is compromised, the ripple effects are felt across many airports and airlines. There are concerns over how supply-chain weaknesses in aviation IT infrastructure could be exploited in future attacks.
What’s Still Unclear
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility, and there is no evidence of data loss or theft. The full list of affected airports may still change as investigations continue.
For travellers to or from Heathrow or Brussels (or other major European airports) in the coming hours:
Double-check your flight before heading to the airport Build in extra time for check-in & baggage drop Be prepared for manual processing (longer queues, possible delays) Explore options with your airline in case of cancellation or missed connections
