Cyberattack Disrupts Major European Airports, Delays Flights Today

URGENT UPDATE: A significant cyberattack has disrupted check-in and boarding systems at key European airports today, causing widespread delays and cancellations. The attack, which occurred on September 19, 2023, has primarily affected Brussels Airport, Heathrow Airport, and Berlin Brandenburg Airport, sparking chaos for travelers across the continent.

Officials report that the cyberattack targeted systems operated by Collins Aerospace, a major service provider for airport check-in and boarding procedures. Passengers at affected airports were forced to rely on manual check-in processes as electronic systems failed.

By mid-morning, 9 flights out of Brussels had been cancelled, with 4 flights redirected to alternative airports and 15 flights experiencing delays of an hour or more. Brussels Airport spokesperson Ihsane Chioua Lekhli confirmed the disruptions, stating, “The impact is significant, but we are working diligently to manage the situation.”

At Berlin Brandenburg Airport, communication head Axel Schmidt reported that while no flights had been cancelled yet, the situation remained fluid and could change rapidly. “We have cut off connections to the affected systems to mitigate further issues,” he added.

Despite being Europe’s busiest airport, Heathrow officials indicated that disruptions there were minimal, with no direct flight cancellations linked to the cyberattack. However, specific details regarding delayed flights have not yet been disclosed.

Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corp. (formerly Raytheon Technologies), acknowledged the situation, stating they are “actively working to resolve the issue and restore full functionality as quickly as possible.” They assured that the impact was limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop, which could be managed through manual operations.

Travelers across Europe are urged to check their flight status and prepare for potential delays as authorities work to regain control over the affected systems. The situation is developing, and more updates are expected as airports continue to assess the impact of the cyberattack.

Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding story.