Published Time: 09-20-2025, 08:00 EDT

A cyberattack targeting check-in and boarding systems at several major European airports caused temporary disruptions on Saturday. While the impact was initially concerning, officials reported that most operations were restored quickly, with limited flight cancellations. Brussels, Berlin, and London airports were among the sites affected, although other airports across Europe reported normal operations.

Scope of the Cyberattack

Officials confirmed that the incident primarily involved a third-party service provider responsible for electronic check-in and boarding systems, rather than airlines or the airports themselves.

Brussels Airport issued a statement noting, “There was a cyberattack on Friday night, 19 September, against the service provider for check-in and boarding systems affecting several European airports, including Brussels Airport.” The airport initially described a “large impact” on flight schedules but emphasized that manual check-in procedures remained available for passengers.

The disruption affected self-service check-in kiosks, electronic boarding, and baggage tagging systems. Collins Aerospace, the technology company providing the MUSE (Multi-User System Environment) software, acknowledged a “cyber-related disruption” at select airports and said it was actively working to restore services.

Impact on European Airports

Brussels Airport:
By mid-morning Saturday, Brussels Airport reported nine flight cancellations, four flights redirected to alternative airports, and 15 delays exceeding one hour. Airport spokesperson Ihsane Chioua Lekhli told broadcaster VTM that the duration of the disruption was still unclear, emphasizing that manual check-in and baggage drop operations helped mitigate the impact.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport:
Axel Schmidt, communications head at Brandenburg Airport, stated that as of late morning, “we don’t have any flights canceled due to this specific reason, but that could change.” The airport had temporarily disconnected affected systems to prevent further complications.

London Heathrow Airport:
Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, reported minimal disruption. A spokesperson confirmed that no flight cancellations were directly attributed to the incident, though some delays may have occurred. Heathrow officials advised passengers to monitor flight status updates before traveling.

Response from Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corp., described the incident as a “cyber-related disruption” affecting MUSE software, which supports check-in, boarding, and baggage management operations.

In a company statement, Collins confirmed:
“The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations. We are actively working to resolve the issue and restore full functionality to our customers as quickly as possible.”

The company did not provide a precise timeline for full system restoration but assured airports and passengers that operations were being monitored closely to minimize further impact.

Travel Advisory and Passenger Guidance

Airports affected by the cyberattack urged travelers to:

• Check flight status online or via airline apps before arriving at the airport.
• Allow extra time for manual check-in and security procedures.
• Stay informed through official airport channels for updates on delays or cancellations.

Despite the disruptions, airport authorities emphasized that safety and operational continuity were maintained. Passengers experienced minor inconveniences, but essential air traffic and boarding procedures continued under manual supervision.

Broader Implications for Aviation Cybersecurity

This incident highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity in the aviation industry. As airports increasingly rely on digital systems for passenger processing, any disruption to third-party service providers can cascade into operational delays and passenger inconvenience.

Experts warn that the aviation sector remains a potential target for cyberattacks due to the reliance on interconnected software systems, ranging from check-in kiosks to baggage handling and air traffic coordination. Strengthening cybersecurity protocols and contingency plans is becoming essential for minimizing disruptions and ensuring passenger safety.

Conclusion

While the cyberattack on Collins Aerospace systems temporarily affected major European airports, its overall impact remained limited due to swift mitigation measures and manual procedures. Brussels, Berlin, and London airports experienced minor flight disruptions, while other European airports operated normally.

Authorities and technology providers continue to work collaboratively to restore full electronic functionality, emphasizing the importance of resilience against future cyber threats in global aviation.

Source: AP News –Cyberattack disrupts check-in systems at major European airports

The post Cyberattack Disrupts Check-In Systems at Major European Airports appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

A Power Outage Sparks Global Travel Chaos

Heathrow’s chief executive has defended the airport’s response to a massive power outage that led to a complete shutdown, disrupting global travel. While apologizing to stranded passengers, he described the incident as “unprecedented.”

A fire in an electrical substation in Hayes, a London suburb, plunged Heathrow—one of the world’s busiest airports—into darkness on Friday. The blackout also affected thousands of homes, bringing operations at the airport to a halt.

The shutdown is estimated to have impacted around 150,000 passengers and may cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to the aviation industry. The British government announced that the National Energy System Operator (NESO) will investigate the cause of the outage and assess potential vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

Heathrow CEO Defends Airport’s Preparedness

Despite the crisis, Heathrow’s CEO Thomas Woldbye expressed confidence in the airport’s response. He emphasized that airports commonly rely on a single power source and insisted that Heathrow’s backup systems functioned as intended.

“All our backup systems were up and running. Our tower was operational, and our runways remained functional,” Woldbye told BBC Radio 4. However, he admitted that resetting the airport’s systems led to widespread disruptions.

“Heathrow uses as much energy as a city every single day,” Woldbye explained, adding that full backup power for baggage systems, fuel operations, and air bridges would require a dedicated power plant on standby.

While acknowledging the distress caused, he assured passengers that the airport was “operating as normal” but warned that clearing the backlog of delayed flights would take time.

Stranded Passengers Face Uncertainty

Thousands of travelers were caught off guard by the shutdown, struggling to find alternative flights and accommodations.

Yousef Alderees, a 19-year-old student, was among those stranded. He was supposed to fly home to Kuwait but found himself stuck in London.

“It was a mess,” Alderees told Reuters. He had reached Paddington Station to take a train to Heathrow but was told all airport-bound trains were canceled.

“We couldn’t find another hotel because everything was fully booked. It was a disaster,” he added.

Airlines have warned of delays for several days, as aircraft and crew were diverted to other airports, creating logistical challenges in redeploying staff and planes.

Power Restored, Investigation Underway

On Saturday morning, British utility company National Grid confirmed that power had been restored to all affected customers. More than 16,000 homes lost electricity due to the fire, forcing around 150 people to evacuate.

London’s counterterrorism police have launched an investigation into the fire. While Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated there was “no suggestion of foul play,” police remain “open-minded” about the cause.

Miliband later announced on social media that NESO will conduct a formal review to assess Heathrow’s energy resilience and identify broader lessons for national infrastructure.

Heathrow has also pledged its own review of the crisis response, to be led by Ruth Kelly, a former British transport minister and independent board member at the airport.

Heathrow Expansion: Is the Airport Ready for Growth?

The disruption raises fresh concerns about Heathrow’s ability to handle future expansion. In 2023, Heathrow was the world’s fourth-busiest airport, serving a record-breaking 83.9 million passengers.

Earlier this year, the UK government approved plans for a third runway, despite fierce opposition from environmentalists and local residents. The expansion could increase Heathrow’s annual flights from 480,000 to 720,000, significantly boosting capacity.

When asked whether Heathrow can be trusted to handle such growth, Woldbye remained confident.

“I have full trust in the fact that we can build a third runway that is resilient,” he stated, rejecting claims that the airport had been complacent about crisis preparedness.

As Heathrow resumes operations, all eyes will be on how effectively it manages its recovery—and whether lessons from this outage will lead to improved safeguards for the future.

SourceL: CNN – Heathrow boss defends response as airport resumes flights after fire brought facility to standstill

The post Heathrow CEO Defends Response After Airport Fire Causes Global Chaos appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.