Massive Cyber Attacks Hit European Airports: Chaos at Heathrow Airport, Brussels and Berlin as Check-In Systems Collapse
Widespread Cyber Attacks on European Airports Spark Travel Chaos
Major European airports, including Heathrow Airport, Brussels Zaventem, and Berlin Brandenburg, have been hit by massive cyber attacks that disrupted critical check-in and boarding systems. The incident, traced to a breach of Collins Aerospace’s widely used MUSE software, forced airports to switch to manual operations, creating long queues, delays, and cancellations across the continent.
Passengers reported chaotic scenes as self-service kiosks, baggage drop points, and electronic boarding systems went offline. Some travellers at Heathrow described waiting hours to process their luggage and obtain boarding passes.
Heathrow Airport’s Response to the Cyber Attack
Heathrow Airport confirmed the disruption originated from a third-party supplier and moved quickly to limit the impact. Measures taken included:
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Advising passengers to check flight status with airlines before travelling.
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Asking travellers not to arrive earlier than three hours for long-haul flights or two hours for short-haul departures.
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Deploying additional staff at check-in desks to support manual processing.
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Apologising for delays while working to restore affected systems.
Heathrow stressed that although queues and inconvenience were significant, the overall impact on departures was less severe than at Brussels Airport, where dozens of flights were affected.
Flight Delays and Cancellations Across Europe
The ripple effect of the cyberattack extended across multiple airports. Here’s a breakdown of disruptions:
| Airport | Flight Cancellations | Flight Delays | Other Impacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels Zaventem | 9 flights cancelled | 15+ delayed | 4 flights redirected |
| Berlin Brandenburg | Not confirmed | Several hours | Long queues at check-in |
| Heathrow Airport | Minimal cancellations | Localised delays | Manual baggage handling |
The delays at Brussels were particularly disruptive, with flights cancelled or diverted, leaving passengers stranded. In Berlin, waiting times stretched significantly as staff relied entirely on manual check-in.
How the Cyber Attack Exposed Aviation Vulnerabilities
The breach at Collins Aerospace highlighted the risks of centralized third-party systems used by multiple airports. Experts warn that such dependence creates a single point of failure, magnifying the impact of a cyberattack.
Key vulnerabilities revealed include:
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Heavy reliance on third-party IT providers for core operations.
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Lack of redundancy when automated systems collapse.
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Inadequate backup strategies to ensure continuity.
Regulatory authorities are now under pressure to enforce stronger cybersecurity standards across the aviation supply chain.
Restoring Systems and Preventing Future Cyber Attacks
Collins Aerospace, owned by RTX, confirmed it was addressing the cyber-related disruption and working with affected airports to restore systems. Meanwhile, airports have continued with manual operations to keep flights moving.
Actions taken include:
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Deployment of national cybersecurity agencies such as the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
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Close coordination between airports, airlines, and law enforcement to mitigate further risks.
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Immediate passenger guidance to reduce overcrowding and unnecessary early arrivals.
Airports also emphasised the importance of passengers staying informed via airline communication channels to avoid unnecessary stress during travel.
