A large-scale cyberattack targeted the check-in and boarding systems of several major European airports on Friday night, resulting in widespread operational disruption and chaos. The airports hit hardest include London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and ,[object Object],, where automated systems became inoperable, forcing staff to revert to manual check-in and boarding procedures. This sudden tech outage severely affected passenger flow, with long lines forming at counters and significant delays in flight schedules reported across the continent. Brussels Airport confirmed the attack, describing it as a “large impact” event and warning that delays and cancellations were inevitable until the issue was resolved.

The source of the disruption was quickly traced to Collins Aerospace, an aviation tech service provider whose MUSE software runs passenger handling systems for numerous airlines at these airports. The company acknowledged that the “cyber-related disruption” confined problems to electronic check-in and baggage drop systems, but noted these issues could be mitigated by reverting to manual operations. ,[object Object], advised travelers to verify flight status with airlines before arriving, anticipating more extended wait times and difficulties for departures. Meanwhile, Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport put up notices warning of “technical issues” and advised passengers to prepare for longer processing times.

Immediate impacts included the cancellation of at least ten flights and delays of over an hour for seventeen more at Brussels Airport alone. London Heathrow, as Europe’s busiest air hub, saw similar disruption but reported that not all airlines using the airport were equally affected, with only those dependent on Collins Aerospace’s compromised systems scrambling for alternatives. Other major airports like Frankfurt and Zurich reported normal operations and were not caught up in the cyber incident, spotlighting the risks of interconnected systems and the importance of redundancy in airport IT infrastructure.

Aviation experts have long warned that such attacks on third-party service providers can quickly cascade into widespread breakdowns if manual backup solutions are not in place. Airports and IT firms are now working around the clock to restore full digital service and resume normal flight operations. Passengers are urged to follow online advisories, monitor their bookings closely, and, whenever possible, complete web check-ins before reaching the airport to minimize delays.