London, Brussels, Berlin: A cyberattack targeting a service provider responsible for check-in and boarding systems caused widespread disruptions at major airports across Europe on Saturday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or delayed. Affected airports included London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, with significant delays and numerous cancellations reported throughout the day.
The cyberattack hit Collins Aerospace, a major service provider that operates essential check-in and boarding systems for airports and airlines globally. The company confirmed ongoing technical issues due to the attack, with systems being severely impacted.
Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest air hubs, alerted passengers to potential delays, urging them to monitor flight statuses closely as the situation unfolded. “We are working to resolve the issue,” Heathrow officials stated in an advisory, warning travelers of possible disruptions.
At Brussels Airport, automated check-in and boarding systems were rendered inoperable, forcing staff to switch to manual processing of passengers. The airport acknowledged the significant impact on its flight schedule, stating, “Delays and cancellations are expected as the service provider works to fix the issue.”
Berlin Airport also issued a public statement, explaining that the disruption had caused longer waiting times at check-in counters. “Due to a technical issue at a system provider operating across Europe, check-in times may be extended. We are working hard to resolve the problem,” read the message on the airport’s website.
Despite the widespread impact on air travel, some airports remained unaffected. Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest, reported normal operations, confirming that no technical disruptions had been experienced. Similarly, Zurich Airport stated it had not encountered any issues linked to the cyberattack.
In Poland, however, Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski reassured the public that the country’s airports had not been targeted by the cyberattack. “We are continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating with authorities across Europe,” he said in a statement on X.
As of Saturday evening, the airports affected by the cyberattack continued to urge passengers to check with airlines for updates, as the recovery from the disruption remained ongoing.
