A widespread cyberattack targeting critical airport systems caused chaos at Europe's busiest travel hubs on Saturday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded amid flight cancellations and delays. London's Heathrow, Berlin, Brussels, and Dublin airports reported disruptions to check-in and boarding operations after a breach at Collins Aerospace, a key provider of aviation software.
Technical Crisis Grounds Flights
Heathrow Airport confirmed the incident impacted electronic check-in systems, forcing staff to implement manual processing. RTX, Collins Aerospace's parent company, acknowledged a "cyber-related disruption" affecting select airports but did not identify responsible parties. Dublin and Cork airports later joined the list of affected facilities, though officials emphasized the issue could be mitigated through alternative procedures.
Travel Chaos Unfolds
Data from Cirium revealed 29 canceled flights across three major hubs, with over 1,100 scheduled departures disrupted. Passengers like Tereza Pultarova at Heathrow described scenes of frustration: "We've been left in the dark… it's been great chaos." Berlin traveler Siegfried Schwarz questioned security measures, stating, "With today's technology, there's no way to defend yourself against something like that."
Industry Response
Airports advised travelers to confirm flight statuses directly with airlines before departure. While RTX assured rapid resolution efforts, the incident highlights growing vulnerabilities in global aviation infrastructure. Manual check-in systems provided temporary relief, but the attack's long-term implications for travel security remain under scrutiny.
