A cyberattack on a provider of check-in and boarding systems caused major disruptions at several European airports on Saturday, including London’s Heathrow, leading to flight delays and cancellations. This incident is part of a series of hacks affecting various sectors worldwide, including government, healthcare, retail, and automotive, with a recent breach at Jaguar Land Rover halting its production.
The problems specifically involved MUSE software from Collins Aerospace, which serves many airlines globally. RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged a “cyber-related disruption” at some airports but did not identify them. Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin airports confirmed they were impacted, and later, Dublin and Cork Airport reported minor issues as well.
The disruptions primarily affected electronic check-in and baggage drop services, although manual operations could help mitigate the impact. As a result of the attack, 29 flights were canceled by midday at Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels. Brussels Airport advised airlines to cancel half of their departing flights on Sunday to manage demand and avoid lengthy delays.
A spokesperson from the European Commission stated there were no signs of a major attack, and the investigation into the incident was ongoing. Such outages often result from ransomware or deliberate sabotage. Rafe Pilling from Sophos highlighted the fragile nature of the digital systems supporting air travel, noting significant impacts on retail and automotive in recent times.
Passengers were advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as many reported a lack of updates about the situation. Some travelers expressed confusion and frustration over the lack of information and preparedness against such cyberattacks. While EasyJet operations were normal, other airlines, including Ryanair and British Airways, did not immediately comment. U. S. carrier Delta reported minor impact due to workarounds, and United Airlines faced slight delays but no cancellations. British and German cyber defence authorities were coordinating with airports to address the situation.
with information from Reuters
