Written by Lisa Murimi
A cyberattack targeting a service provider for airline check-in and boarding systems has disrupted operations at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, causing widespread flight delays and cancellations on Saturday.
Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), confirmed it was experiencing a technical outage after being hit by the attack.
The company provides critical check-in and boarding systems for multiple airlines worldwide.
London’s Heathrow Airport warned passengers of delays, saying the disruption may affect departing flights.
“Due to a technical issue at a system provider operating across Europe, there are longer waiting times at check-in. We are working on a quick solution,” the airport said in a statement.
Brussels Airport reported that automated systems had been rendered inoperable, forcing staff to resort to manual check-in and boarding procedures.
“This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations of flights,” the airport said on its website.
Berlin Airport also issued a similar alert, asking travelers to confirm flight details with their airlines before arriving at the terminals.
Despite the widespread disruption, Frankfurt Airport Germany’s busiest and Zurich Airport in Switzerland said their operations remained unaffected.
Authorities and cybersecurity teams are working with Collins Aerospace to restore systems as quickly as possible, though no timeline for full recovery has been provided.
Analysts warn that such attacks could have far-reaching consequences, not only for passenger convenience but also for air traffic safety and airline revenues.
Passengers scheduled to fly through the affected airports on Saturday have been urged to check directly with their airlines for updated information.
