Major Cyberattack Disrupts Operations at European Airports
A significant cyberattack targeting a prominent aviation software provider has engendered considerable disruptions across several major European airports, notably London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The incident, occurring on Saturday, led to an array of flight delays and cancellations.
This breach incapacitated electronic check-in and baggage drop systems, compelling airport personnel to revert to manual processing, thereby leaving an overwhelming number of passengers stranded in extensive queues.
The incident was attributed to a “cyber-related disruption” that specifically targeted Collins Aerospace, a division of RTX (formerly known as Raytheon Technologies), as reported by the BBC.
Operational challenges arose due to the failure of the company’s Muse software, which facilitates the shared use of check-in desks, boarding gates, and baggage systems among multiple airlines.
In response to the situation, affected airports were compelled to sever their connections to the malfunctioning systems, leading to substantial delays in passenger processing.
Brussels Airport disclosed that the attack transpired on Friday night, which precipitated a “large impact on the flight schedule,” resulting in numerous delays and cancellations. Similarly, Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport confirmed prolonged wait times, while both Dublin and Cork airports in Ireland reported a “minor impact,” with some airlines resorting to manual check-in procedures.
This technical failure culminated in turmoil for many travelers. Passengers at Heathrow’s Terminal 4 recounted waiting in line for over two hours, as airline staff manually labeled luggage and handled check-ins via telephone.
One traveler, Lucy Spencer, remarked to the BBC that mobile boarding passes were rendered ineffective at the gate, requiring passengers to return to the check-in counters, where lines were already extensive.
RTX acknowledged the cyberattack on its Collins Aerospace software at “select airports,” asserting that the repercussions were confined to “electronic customer check-in and baggage drop.”
The company emphasized that disruptions could be alleviated through manual check-in processes, affirming that teams were “actively working to resolve the issue and restore full functionality.”
Meanwhile, impacted airports, including Heathrow, mobilized additional staff to assist passengers and recommended that travelers verify their flight status with relevant airlines prior to arriving at the airport.
According to FlightAware, a flight tracking service, hundreds of flights were delayed across the affected airports throughout Saturday, with Brussels Airport reporting ten cancellations and seventeen flights delayed by over one hour.
Source link: Cybersecuritynews.com.
