A cyberattack today on Collins Aerospace software, owned by RTX, has paralyzed check-in and boarding systems at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow as well as Berlin and Brussels. The incident has caused widespread disruption with flight cancellations and delays, while electronic check-in and baggage drop have been replaced by manual procedures. Dublin and Cork airports in Ireland also reported minor impact, while aviation data shows dozens of flights have already been cancelled.
Brussels Airport has warned that half of all scheduled departures on Sunday will be cancelled to prevent long queues and further chaos, confirming that the disruption will continue. The European Commission said there is no evidence of a “widespread or severe attack,” though the origin of the incident remains under investigation. Experts note that such events often resemble ransomware attacks or deliberate digital sabotage.
“This incident has demonstrated just how fragile and interconnected the digital ecosystem underpinning air travel really is,” said Rafe Pilling, Director of Threat Intelligence at cybersecurity company Sophos. Passengers at affected airports have been advised to check flight status with their airlines before traveling, while many voiced frustration over the lack of information on site. German and British cyber defense agencies confirmed they are in close contact with airport authorities.
