On Friday night, a cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace, a crucial service provider for check-in and boarding systems, disrupted operations at several of Europe’s busiest airports, including London Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The failure of automated systems forced airports to revert to manual check-in and boarding processes, causing extensive delays, cancellations, and long waiting times for thousands of passengers.
Collins Aerospace confirmed awareness of a cyber-related disruption affecting their MUSE software, which is widely used for passenger processing. Key stakeholders, including airport authorities and airlines, expressed concerns over the scale and impact of the incident while working to resolve the issue.
Impact on Passengers and Airport Operations
Brussels Airport reported numerous flight cancellations and delays, including at least ten cancelled flights and dozens delayed by more than an hour. The airport handled around 35,000 departing passengers that day, many of whom faced longer lines and waiting times due to the system outage. Heathrow, the busiest airport in Europe, warned passengers of expected delays primarily affecting departing flights relying on the Collins Aerospace system.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport also noted increased waiting times for check-in and boarding but reassured travellers that the airport itself was not the direct target. Passengers were advised to confirm flight statuses before arriving and to arrive early to mitigate the disruption’s impact. Notably, Frankfurt and Zurich airports reported no disruption.
Background and Cybersecurity Concerns in Aviation
Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, plays a vital role in providing software and hardware solutions for airlines and airports worldwide, including aircraft systems and passenger processing technology. The incident underscores the vulnerability of interconnected aviation infrastructures to cyberattacks, which can halt digital operations and impair passenger experience.
Experts warn that attackers increasingly exploit social engineering tactics to infiltrate IT help desks and disrupt systems. The aviation sector has ramped up efforts to strengthen cybersecurity following a series of high-profile breaches globally, including ransomware attacks on airport systems in the past years.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This widespread technical disruption highlights the urgent importance of cybersecurity diligence in safeguarding critical public infrastructure like airports, which millions rely on daily. While manual backup systems offer temporary relief in crises, lasting solutions depend on robust, anticipatory digital defences and collaborative vigilance across the aviation ecosystem.
The Logical Indian calls for transparency, proactive communication, and joint efforts between technology providers, airport authorities, and regulatory bodies to build resilient aviation environments.
