A cyberattack disabled electronic check-in and boarding systems, forcing Brussels, Heathrow, and Brandenburg airports to operate manually.
The disruption caused delays, cancellations, and long queues for thousands of passengers across Europe on Saturday.
Brussels Airport Cancels and Redirects Flights
Brussels Airport confirmed the cyberattack targeted its service provider, not airlines or airport infrastructure.
Officials said nine flights were cancelled, four were redirected, and 15 faced delays exceeding an hour.
Spokesperson Ihsane Chioua Lekhli warned passengers of continued disruption, advising only confirmed travelers to come.
With 35,000 departures scheduled Saturday, Brussels later announced half of Sunday’s flights would also be cancelled.
Brandenburg and Heathrow Manage Disruptions Differently
Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport reported no cancellations but warned passengers of significant check-in and boarding delays.
Operators disconnected affected systems to limit risks and maintain partial service.
London’s Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest hub, confirmed minimal disruption and reported no cancellations during the cyberattack.
Collins Aerospace Identifies Software Breach
Collins Aerospace, provider of global check-in and boarding systems, confirmed a “cyber-related disruption” in its software.
The breach impacted multiple airports simultaneously, highlighting vulnerabilities in shared aviation technology infrastructure.
The incident underscored growing cyber threats against international transport networks, forcing airports to rely on manual backups.
