Breaking News

Cyberattack disrupts check-in systems at major European airports

by VARINDIA 2025-09-22

A cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace’s MUSE check-in and boarding system has disrupted passenger services at some of Europe’s busiest airports, including London Heathrow, Berlin Brandenburg, and Brussels Airport. The attack, which began on Friday, caused widespread flight delays, cancellations, and long passenger queues.

Brussels Hit Hardest: Flights Cancelled

While Heathrow and Berlin airports reported improvement by Sunday, Brussels Airport continued to struggle. Authorities asked airlines to cancel half of Monday’s scheduled departures after Collins Aerospace failed to deliver a secure, updated software fix. On Sunday alone, 50 of 257 flights were cancelled, following 25 cancellations the previous day.

Collins Aerospace, a unit of RTX Corporation, confirmed its MUSE software system was the target. The company said it was in the “final stages” of restoring services, but manual check-in workarounds remain in place. RTX assured airlines and passengers it was working urgently to minimize disruption.

Passengers Face Long Delays

Many travelers faced hours-long queues at check-in counters, particularly those who hadn’t completed online check-ins or had luggage to process. Affected passengers reported frustration, though some noted minimal issues if pre-check-in was completed.

The attack underscores growing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the aviation industry, where reliance on centralized digital check-in and boarding systems creates a single point of failure. Experts warn such incidents highlight the need for robust aviation cybersecurity measures to protect global travel.

Current Status

By Sunday evening, Berlin Brandenburg Airport confirmed some issues persisted but were manageable with manual systems. Heathrow reported gradual recovery. However, with Brussels cancelling flights into Monday, full resolution is still pending.