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On Saturday, several prominent European airports, including London’s Heathrow, faced significant disruptions due to a cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace, a key provider of check-in and boarding systems. This incident resulted in considerable flight delays and a wave of cancellations across the continent.
Collins Aerospace, a leading global aviation systems provider, reported a technical issue stemming from the cyber disruption that affected services at various airports. Officials at Heathrow confirmed that this incident would likely cause delays and urged travelers to stay alert regarding their flight schedules.
Impact on Major Airports
The repercussions of this cyberattack extended beyond Heathrow. Airports in Brussels and Berlin also reported disruptions, each releasing statements about the incident. Hours later, Dublin Airport confirmed minor impacts, along with Cork Airport, Ireland’s second-largest airport, as the effects of the attack continued to unfold.
Extent of the Disruption
According to Cirium, an aviation data provider, the chaos resulted in the cancellation of 29 flights across Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels. On that busy Saturday, 651 flights were scheduled to depart from Heathrow, while Brussels and Berlin had 228 and 226 flights planned, respectively.
This scale of disruption underscores the vulnerability of airports to cyber threats.
Response from Authorities and Organizations
As the situation developed, RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged the incident and confirmed they were working diligently to resolve the issues.
They noted that while the impact primarily affected electronic customer check-in and baggage drop processes, manual check-in procedures could serve as a workaround.
Germany’s federal office for information security, known as BSI, reported that they were coordinating with authorities at Berlin Airport to address the disruptions caused by the cyberattack.
The National Cyber Security Centre in the UK also intervened to collaborate with Collins Aerospace and the affected airports to assess the full impact of the incident.
Passenger Experiences
Travelers caught in the turmoil expressed their frustration. Tereza Pultarova, a passenger at Heathrow, described the situation as chaotic, stating, “Unfortunately, the airline I’m with doesn’t have a service desk here, so we’ve been left in the dark.” Passengers were advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport to avoid unnecessary delays.
At Berlin Airport, travelers faced prolonged waiting times at check-in as manual procedures were implemented. Kim Reisen, another traveler, lamented the lack of information regarding the ongoing issue, while Siegfried Schwarz expressed disbelief at modern technology’s inability to prevent such disruptions.
Emerging Patterns of Cyber Threats
This incident is part of a growing trend of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure worldwide. Industries ranging from healthcare to automotive have been victims of these malicious acts, including a recent cyber breach at luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover that halted production.
Rob Jardin, a cybersecurity expert, emphasized the rising threat not only from criminal hackers but also from state-sponsored actors targeting European nations, exploiting vulnerabilities in supply chains to create chaos.
Looking Ahead
Collins Aerospace, a leading global aviation systems provider, reported a technical issue stemming from the cyber disruption that affected services at various airports. Officials at Heathrow confirmed that this incident would likely cause delays and urged travelers to stay alert regarding their flight schedules.0
Collins Aerospace, a leading global aviation systems provider, reported a technical issue stemming from the cyber disruption that affected services at various airports. Officials at Heathrow confirmed that this incident would likely cause delays and urged travelers to stay alert regarding their flight schedules.1
