Cyberattack Disrupts Flights Across Major European Airports
A major cyberattack has caused chaos at several of Europe’s busiest airports, leading to widespread flight delays and cancellations that stretched into Sunday. The disruption began on Saturday when the systems used for passenger check-in and baggage drop were taken offline at multiple hubs, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels Airport, and Berlin Airport. Dublin and Cork in Ireland also reported problems, while Frankfurt and Paris airports said they were unaffected.
The attack was traced to MUSE software provided by Collins Aerospace, a U.S.-based company owned by RTX Corporation. This system supports check-in and boarding operations for many airlines worldwide. RTX confirmed it was dealing with a “cyber-related disruption” but avoided naming the affected airports or identifying who might be behind the attack. They emphasized that manual check-in remained possible, though it inevitably slowed down operations.
At Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels alone, nearly 30 flights had been cancelled by midday Saturday, with many others delayed. To give a sense of scale, more than 1,000 flights were scheduled across those three airports on the same day. Brussels Airport even asked airlines to cancel half of their scheduled departures on Sunday to prevent overwhelming queues and last-minute cancellations, indicating the ripple effects would last well into the weekend.
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Passengers described frustration and confusion as they waited in terminals with little information. At Berlin Airport, travellers said they were initially told only that a “technical fault” had occurred, learning through news outlets and social media that the true cause was likely a cyberattack. Some described the incident as “incomprehensible,” questioning how such a critical system could be so vulnerable in an age of advanced digital security.
While the European Commission stressed that there was no sign of a “widespread or severe” attack, cybersecurity experts noted that this incident underscored how fragile the digital infrastructure supporting air travel has become. Ransomware or deliberate sabotage was suggested as a possible cause, but no group or individual has claimed responsibility so far, and there is no evidence yet of data theft.
Airlines reacted in different ways. EasyJet said it was operating as normal and did not expect lasting impact. Delta Air Lines from the United States confirmed only minor delays and noted it had implemented a workaround. United Airlines also reported limited disruption, while Ryanair and British Airways did not immediately comment.
Officials in the UK, Germany, and across the EU confirmed they were monitoring the situation closely. Cyber defence agencies remained in touch with airports, but details of the attackers’ methods or motives were not shared publicly.
This cyberattack comes amid a growing trend of digital intrusions targeting critical sectors worldwide—from car manufacturers to healthcare providers. Experts warn that the aviation industry, which relies heavily on interconnected digital systems, remains especially vulnerable. Saturday’s disruption has shown just how quickly those systems, when compromised, can bring air travel to a standstill across multiple countries.
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