Cyberattack Disrupts Check-In Systems at Major European Airports
BRUSSELS,Belgium – A cyberattack impacted check-in and baggage dispatch systems at several major European airports on Saturday,September 20,causing flight delays and cancellations. Airports in Brussels, Berlin, and London were affected, according to Collins Aerospace, the international supplier of airport check-in systems.
The disruption,described as a “cyber interruption” affecting Collins Aerospace’s Muse software,began Friday night. while the impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage handling, Collins Aerospace stated that manual check-in procedures are being used to mitigate the issues.
Brussels Airport experienced the most important immediate impact, with at least 10 flights canceled and 17 others delayed by more than an hour. The airport is currently operating with only check-in and manual boarding processes, advising passengers to confirm flight status with their airlines before traveling to the terminal.
London’s Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest, reported that its check-in and boarding systems – also supplied by Collins Aerospace - were experiencing a ”technical problem” causing boarding delays. Berlin Airport issued a statement acknowledging longer check-in wait times due to a “technical problem with a system provider that operates across Europe,” and stated they are working towards a resolution.
Authorities at Heathrow and Berlin Airport have not disclosed the cause of the “technical problems.” Frankfurt Airport in Germany and Zurich Airport in Switzerland reported no disruptions.
The incident follows a reported hacking of the website for St. Petersburg Airport, Russia’s second-largest city, on Friday, September 19.
