Full Breakdown
Cyberattack Disrupts Major European Airports
9/22/2025, 8:29:47 PM
Overview of the Incident
A significant cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace, a provider of check-in and boarding systems, has caused widespread disruptions at several major European airports, including Brussels Airport, London Heathrow, and Berlin Brandenburg. The attack, which began late on September 19, 2025, has forced airports to revert to manual check-in processes, resulting in numerous flight cancellations and delays.
Impact on Operations
Brussels Airport has been the hardest hit, requesting airlines to cancel nearly half of their scheduled departing flights for Monday, affecting approximately 140 of 276 flights. The airport's spokesperson indicated that the disruption stemmed from Collins Aerospace's inability to deliver a secure version of its MUSE software, which is critical for electronic check-in and baggage drop. On Saturday, Brussels Airport canceled 25 outbound flights, followed by 50 cancellations on Sunday. Despite these challenges, the airport managed to maintain about 85% of its scheduled departures over the weekend through manual operations and online check-in options.
Heathrow and Berlin airports also faced significant delays, although operations began to stabilize by Sunday. Heathrow reported that the majority of flights continued to operate, albeit with some delays due to manual check-in procedures. Berlin Airport experienced moderate delays, with some airlines still relying on manual processing.
Official Statements & Responses
Collins Aerospace, owned by RTX, acknowledged the cyber-related disruption and stated that it was working to restore full functionality. The company emphasized that the impact was limited to electronic check-in and baggage drop, which could be mitigated through manual operations. A spokesperson for Heathrow noted, "We apologize to those who have faced delays, but by working together with airlines, the vast majority of flights have continued to operate."
The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) confirmed that the incident was a ransomware attack, highlighting the increasing risks to critical infrastructure. Law enforcement agencies are involved in investigating the attack.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics have raised concerns about the aviation sector's reliance on third-party technology providers like Collins Aerospace. Experts argue that such dependencies create vulnerabilities that can lead to widespread disruptions. Charlotte Wilson, head of enterprise at Check Point Software, stated, "When one vendor is compromised, the ripple effect can be immediate and far-reaching." This incident underscores the need for improved cybersecurity measures and better information-sharing among stakeholders in the aviation industry.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Brussels Airport reported significant disruptions, other airports, such as Dublin, indicated minimal impact from the cyberattack. This discrepancy highlights the varying degrees of operational challenges faced by different airports during the incident.
What's Next
As of now, Brussels Airport and Collins Aerospace are working to resolve the ongoing issues, but further disruptions are expected until a secure version of the software is restored. Passengers are advised to check their flight statuses before arriving at the airport and to utilize online check-in options where available.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We advise passengers with a flight to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport and to only come to the airport if their flight has been confirmed,” — Brussels Airport Spokesperson
- “The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations.” — RTX Statement
- “When one vendor is compromised, the ripple effect can be immediate and far-reaching,” — Charlotte Wilson, Check Point Software
