Several major European airports faced widespread disruptions over the weekend after a ransomware attack targeted the check-in and boarding systems provided by Collins Aerospace.
The incident affected airports including London Heathrow, Brussels Airport, and Berlin Brandenburg, while Cork and Dublin airports in Ireland also reported minor issues. Brussels Airport confirmed that the attack began on Friday night and specifically hit the MUSE (Multi-User System Environment) platform, which multiple airlines use to share check-in desks and boarding gate systems.
“Following a cyberattack on the American company Collins Aerospace, the external provider of check-in and boarding systems, there are disruptions to check-in operations at several European airports,” Brussels Airport said in a public statement on its website.
The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) confirmed to The Guardian that the disruptions were caused by a ransomware attack. According to reports, more than 100 flights were delayed or cancelled, and thousands of passengers were forced to check in manually.
Brussels Airport warned on Monday that disruptions were still ongoing and advised passengers to verify their flight status before arriving at the airport. Collins Aerospace stated that its teams are working to restore systems “as soon as possible.”
Law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies are now investigating. A spokesperson for the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said: “We are working with Collins Aerospace and affected UK airports, alongside the Department for Transport and law enforcement colleagues, to fully understand the impact of an incident”.
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The NCSC also urged organizations to use its free guidance and security tools to help defend against ransomware attacks, which continue to be one of the most disruptive cyber threats in Europe.
