A cyberattack targeted check-in and boarding systems, disrupting air traffic at major European airports on Saturday, although the impact on travelers was reportedly limited. The incident, first noted at Brussels Airport, Berlin’s Brandenburg, and Heathrow, forced many airports to switch to manual check-in and boarding processes. While some flights were canceled or delayed, others operated normally.
Brussels Airport described the cyberattack as affecting service providers, not the airports or airlines directly. Collins Aerospace, which assists with check-in and baggage processing, cited “cyber-related confusion” within a shared system used by multiple airports.
Travel analyst Paul Charles expressed concern over the vulnerability of major aviation and defense firms, noting the sophisticated nature of the attack that targeted core systems across various locations. Although there were minimal cancellations at Heathrow, the disruption led to frustrations among passengers due to reduced staff at check-in counters.
Experts indicated that this incident highlights a growing threat to the aviation industry, which relies heavily on interconnected digital systems. Cybersecurity professionals warned that these types of attacks are increasingly targeting supply chains, amplifying their potential impact. The investigation into the source of the attack is ongoing, with no definitive conclusions on who was behind it.
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