Cyberattack Causes Chaos at European Airports: Flight Delays and Cancellations
A new challenge has emerged for Europe’s aviation sector — a widespread cyberattack that has caused significant disruptions at some of the continent’s largest and most critical airports.
According to Reuters, the attack affected key transit hubs such as London Heathrow, Brussels Airport, and Berlin terminals.
The damage resulted from the partial hacking of automated passenger check-in and boarding systems, leading to delays and cancellations that have inconvenienced thousands of travelers.
Official statements from Brussels airport indicated that automated systems were disabled, leaving only manual registration options available, which severely complicated passenger processing.
Heathrow and Berlin airports also confirmed operational problems, advising travelers to verify their flight status directly with airlines before heading to the airport.
London’s airport authority stated that Collins Aerospace, a provider of check-in and boarding systems for numerous airlines worldwide, faced technical difficulties that could cause delays.
Meanwhile, Brussels officials added that experts are actively working to resolve the issue to minimize its impact.
Frankfurt airport reported that it remained unaffected and did not experience any effects from the cyberattack.
However, due to widespread technical issues across Europe, there has been an increase in wait times for check-in and boarding.
Authorities are working diligently to restore normal operations, but travelers are advised to check their flight statuses in advance to avoid further delays or cancellations.
This incident highlights the growing threat posed by modern cybercriminals and their capacity to disrupt global transportation networks, emphasizing the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure.