Cyberattack Disrupts European Airports, Causing Delays and Cancellations
Brussels, Belgium – September 21, 2025 – Several European airports are experiencing notable disruptions due to a cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace, a provider of check-in and boarding systems. The attack began on September 20, 2025, and is causing delays and cancellations across the continent.
Brussels Airport reported a “large impact on the flight schedule” on its website Sunday, advising travelers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport. Heathrow Airport acknowledged delays, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “We apologise to those who have faced delays, but by working together with airlines, the vast majority of flights have continued to operate.” Heathrow encouraged passengers to check flight statuses and arrive no earlier than three hours before long-haul flights or two hours before short-haul flights.
Berlin Airport also warned travelers of longer waiting times due to a “systems outage at a service provider.” Dublin Airport was affected, but anticipated operating a full schedule on Sunday, though with potential delays. The airport noted on X that some airlines in Terminal 2 were utilizing manual processes for bag tags and boarding passes, leading to slightly longer check-in and bag drop times.
This attack is the latest in a growing number of high-profile cybersecurity breaches. Last week, Jaguar Land Rover extended a pause in production until September 24 due to a cyberattack. Earlier in 2025, British retailer Marks & Spencer estimated a cyberattack would reduce its annual profits by nearly one-third.
Charlotte Wilson, head of enterprise at cybersecurity firm Check Point, highlighted the aviation industry’s vulnerability. “These attacks frequently enough strike through the supply chain, exploiting third-party platforms that are used by multiple airlines and airports at once,” she explained in a statement. “When one vendor is compromised, the ripple effect can be immediate and far-reaching, causing widespread disruption across borders.”
Wilson emphasized the need for aviation companies to regularly update software, maintain well-tested backup systems, and improve information-sharing between technology providers, airlines, and governments. “Cyberattacks rarely stop at national borders, so the faster one country can identify and report an attack, the faster others can take action to contain it,” she stated. “A joined-up defense will be far more effective than siloed responses.”
