🚨 Cyberattack Disrupts Major European Airports – Flights Delayed & Cancelled

A major cyberattack has disrupted flight operations across several of Europe’s busiest airports, including London Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, causing widespread delays and cancellations.

Brussels Airport on September 20, 2025, as passengers face longer queues and delays following a cyberattack on check-in and baggage systems.

According to the Reuters, the attack targeted Collins Aerospace, a key provider of check-in and boarding systems used by multiple airlines globally. Collins Aerospace’s parent company RTX confirmed a “cyber-related disruption” affecting its software at selected airports.

---

🔧 What Happened

• Systems Affected: Electronic check-in kiosks and baggage drop counters were rendered inoperable.

• Airports Hit: Heathrow, Brussels (Zaventem), Berlin. Frankfurt and Zurich reported no impact.

• Fallback in Action: Airports have switched to manual check-in and boarding procedures, leading to longer wait times.

• Flight Status:

  • Brussels Airport reported 10 cancellations and average 1-hour delays.

  • Heathrow warned of disruption but continues operations manually.

  • Berlin Airport reported long queues and is working on a quick fix.

---

🛫 Airline Responses

• Delta Air Lines implemented a workaround and expects minimal impact on its flights.

• EasyJet said it is operating as normal and does not expect disruption for the rest of the day.

• Ryanair and British Airways have yet to release statements.

---

🏛 Official Reactions

• UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander confirmed she is receiving regular updates on the situation.

• Polish authorities reported no threats to their airports.

---

📌 What Travelers Should Do

If you are flying today or tomorrow:

✅ Check flight status online before heading to the airport.
✅ Arrive earlier than usual – manual check-in takes longer.
✅ Stay updated via airport websites, airline apps, and social media channels.

---

🌍 Why This Matters

This incident highlights the vulnerability of aviation infrastructure to cyber threats. Airports rely heavily on software to manage check-ins, baggage, and boarding — and even a short disruption can cascade into major operational challenges.

AHA Apex Wing’s Take:
The aviation industry must prioritize cybersecurity and redundancy planning to avoid massive disruptions in the future. Regular drills, vendor audits, and passenger communication strategies should be a core part of airport operations.

---

✈️ Have you been affected by today’s disruption? Share your travel experience in the comments — we’d love to hear how airlines and airports handled it.

Source :- Cyberattack disrupts European airports including Heathrow, Brussels