BRUSSELS (AP) — The repercussions of a cyberattack that disrupted check-in systems across multiple European airports extended into a second day on Sunday, causing significant cancellation and delay of flights. The situation is expected to worsen, particularly at Brussels Airport.
Brussels Airport, which appears to be the most severely affected, announced it had requested airlines to cancel nearly 140 departing flights scheduled for Monday, as a U.S.-based software vendor has yet to deliver a new secure version of their check-in system. Over the weekend alone, the airport saw 25 outbound flights canceled on Saturday and 50 on Sunday.
The wave of disruptions began late Friday evening, impacting check-in procedures at airports in Berlin, Brussels, and London. Airline staff resorted to alternative methods, including handwriting boarding passes and utilizing backup laptops. Fortunately, many other European airports remained unaffected by the incident.
The cyberattack specifically targeted the software of Collins Aerospace, a provider of electronic systems that facilitate passenger check-in, boarding pass printing, and luggage dispatch. The company acknowledged a “cyber-related disruption” affecting select European airports.
At this time, the identity of the attackers remains unknown, with experts speculating that the culprits could be hackers, criminal organizations, or state actors. The European Commission, representing the 27-nation European Union, confirmed that both aviation safety and air traffic control functions have not been affected by the breach. They indicated that there is no evidence of a widespread or severe attack and that investigations are ongoing.
Brussels Airport Faces Ongoing Flight Cancellations
While airports such as Heathrow in London and Berlin Brandenburg reported a return to smoother operations over the weekend, Brussels Airport continues to struggle.
In an email sent on Sunday, Brussels Airport revealed that it requested airlines to cancel approximately half of the 276 scheduled departing flights on Monday due to ongoing issues with Collins Aerospace’s software. Cancellations and delays are likely to persist as the need for manual check-in procedures remains.
The parent company of Collins Aerospace, RTX Corp., has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident. However, on Saturday, they stated their commitment to resolving the issue, noting that the disruption primarily impacts electronic customer check-in and baggage drop, which can be partially mitigated through manual processes.
Despite the challenges, Brussels Airport managed to maintain approximately 85% of its scheduled departures over the weekend, thanks in part to additional staff and the sustained functionality of self-service bag drop and online check-in systems.
According to airport spokesperson Ihsane Chioua Lekhli, only the electronic systems at check-in desks were affected, allowing for the use of alternative backup methods, including portable laptops, to assist passengers. Airports advised travelers to check their flight status before heading to the terminals and to utilize alternative check-in methods when available.
Statements from Heathrow Airport indicated that collaborative efforts with airlines have allowed the majority of flights to continue operating despite the disruptions. They expressed their apologies for any inconvenience faced by passengers due to delays.
At Brandenburg Airport, travelers were informed via a message on their website about longer wait times as a result of the systems outage and were encouraged to utilize online check-in, self-service kiosks, and fast bag drop services.
As the investigation into the cyberattack continues, stakeholders across the region remain on high alert, working diligently to restore normal operations and enhance security protocols to prevent future incidents.
