Cyberattack Disrupts Check-In Systems at Major European Airports
Several major European airports, including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, experienced significant operational disruptions following a cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace’s check-in and boarding software. The incident, which began on Saturday, continued into Sunday, causing flight cancellations and delays that affected thousands of travelers.
Collins Aerospace, a key provider of check-in and boarding systems for numerous airlines worldwide, reported a “cyber-related disruption” to its MUSE software platform. RTX, Collins Aerospace’s parent company, confirmed the attack affected electronic customer check-in and baggage drop processes but emphasized that manual check-in operations could mitigate the impact.
“The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations,” said RTX in a statement. The company is actively working to resolve the issue promptly.
Scope of Disruption Across Airports
Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that as of Sunday morning, Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels airports had canceled 38 departures and 33 arrivals combined. Brussels Airport experienced the highest number of cancellations, with 15 flights affected on Saturday alone. Each airport issued statements acknowledging the disruption. Heathrow Airport urged passengers to check flight statuses before traveling and to arrive no earlier than recommended due to ongoing delays. Brussels Airport warned of extensive flight schedule impacts, while Berlin Airport anticipated longer waiting times due to the outage. Dublin Airport also reported disruption but expects to maintain a full flight schedule by employing manual processes for check-in and baggage handling.
Context: Rising Cybersecurity Threats in Aviation and Beyond
This incident is part of a growing trend of cyberattacks impacting critical industries. Recently, Jaguar Land Rover extended a production pause due to a cyberattack, while British retailer Marks & Spencer suffered significant profit losses after a breach disrupted operations earlier this year. Charlotte Wilson, head of enterprise at cybersecurity firm Check Point, highlighted the aviation sector’s vulnerability due to its dependency on interconnected third-party platforms. She explained that compromises to one vendor can cause cascading disruptions across multiple airports and airlines.
“These attacks often strike through the supply chain, exploiting third-party platforms that are used by multiple airlines and airports at once,” Wilson said. “A joined-up defence will be far more effective than siloed responses.”
Wilson advocates for regular software updates, robust backup systems, and enhanced information sharing among technology providers, airlines, and governments to strengthen resilience against such attacks.
FinOracleAI — Market View
The recent cyberattack on Collins Aerospace underscores the growing cybersecurity risks facing the aviation industry’s critical infrastructure. The reliance on shared digital platforms across airlines and airports creates systemic vulnerabilities that can lead to widespread operational disruptions.
- Opportunities: Increased investment in cybersecurity solutions tailored for aviation; development of resilient manual and automated backup systems; enhanced cross-border information sharing protocols.
- Risks: Continued exposure to supply chain cyberattacks; potential for reputational damage and financial losses for airlines and airports; passenger confidence erosion impacting travel demand.
Impact: This event is a clear signal that aviation stakeholders must prioritize cybersecurity upgrades and collaboration to safeguard operations and passenger safety in an increasingly digital ecosystem.
