How a Cyber-Attack Caused Chaos at Multiple European Airports

Upgraded 20 September 2025 at 15:57 IST

The attack has actually rendered automated systems unusable, enabling just manual check-in and boarding treatments.

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Travellers wait at Brussels airport, after a cyberattack at a company for check-in and boarding systems interfered with operations at numerous significant European airports.|Image: Reuters

A cyberattack on a service provider of check-in and boarding systems has actually interrupted operations at a number of significant European airports, consisting of London’s Heathrow, the continent’s busiest, triggering flight hold-ups and cancellations on Saturday.

Collins Aerospace, which offers systems for a number of airline companies at airports worldwide, is experiencing a technical problem that might trigger hold-ups for leaving guests, Heathrow Airport stated, having actually cautioned of hold-ups. Brussels Airport and Berlin Airport were likewise impacted by the attack, they stated in different declarations.

RTX, Collins Aerospace’s moms and dad business, stated it had actually ended up being conscious of a “cyber-related disruption” to its software application at picked airports, without calling them.

“The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations,” RTX stated in an e-mailed declaration, including that it was working to repair the concern as rapidly as possible.

The attack has actually rendered automated systems unusable, enabling just manual check-in and boarding treatments, Brussels Airport stated on its site, including the occurrence had actually taken place on Friday night.

“This has a big influence on the flight schedule and will, sadly, cause hold-ups and cancellations of flights … The company is actively dealing with the concern and attempting to fix the issue as rapidly as possible.”

Travelers with a flight set up for Saturday were recommended by the impacted airports to verify their travel with airline companies before heading to the airport.

“Due to a technical issue at a system provider…there are longer waiting times at check-in. We are working on a quick solution,” Berlin Airport stated in a banner on its site. Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s biggest, was not impacted, a representative stated. An authorities from the operations manage centre at Zurich Airport likewise stated it had actually not been affected.

EasyJet, amongst Europe’s most significant airline companies, stated it was presently running as regular and did not anticipate the problem to affect its flights for the remainder of the day. Other significant airline companies, Ryanair and British Airways owner IAG, did not right away react to Reuters ask for remark.

There were no indicators of hazards to Polish airports, Deputy Prime Minister and digital affairs minister Krzysztof Gawkowski stated.