Multiple Flights Canceled as Hackers Target Airports with Cyber Attacks

Multiple airports across Europe have been plunged into chaos after a suspected cyber attack disrupted their boarding systems.

At around 9 p.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 19, the attack began to affect the automated IT system used by several airlines, according to UK-based newspaper The Times. Flight delays and cancellations arose as staff attempted to process passengers manually.

London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) apologized to passengers for the inconvenience in a statement on X, while describing their systems as experiencing a “technical issue.”

“Collins Aerospace, which provides check-in and boarding systems for several airlines across multiple airports globally, is experiencing a technical issue that may cause delays for departing passengers,” LHR stated. 

While working to resolve the problem, the airport has advised passengers to “check their flight status with their airline before traveling.”

“Additional colleagues are available in check-in areas to assist and help minimize disruption,” LHR added.

Photos circulating online show passengers stuck at the airport in long queues as they wait to board planes amid the technical difficulties.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, Brussels Airport was also severely impacted by the suspected cyber attack.

“This means that at the moment, only manual check-in and boarding are possible,” the airport said in a statement on its website.

Airline operators were requested to cancel half their flight schedules to and from the airport between 6:00 a.m. local time on Saturday and 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, BBC News reported.

Berlin Airport also reported “longer wait times” due to a “technical issue,” per Sky News. 

RTX, which owns Collins Aerospace, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that they are actively working to resolve the issue.

“We have become aware of a cyber-related disruption to our MUSE software in select airports. We are actively working to resolve the issue and restore full functionality to our customers as quickly as possible,” the statement read. “The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations.”

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Münster/Osnabrück Airport in Germany added that it was “only indirectly affected” by the suspected cyber attack, calling it a “technical malfunction.” The airport has redirected its handling systems to their internal IT infrastructure, per Sky News. 

Passengers have complained about the disruption to the flights, with many still unsure when they will be able to board their planes.

“I’ve been at Heathrow with my elderly parents since 5:00 a.m. … I have no idea when we will fly,” passenger Monazza Aslam told BBC News.

Luke Agger-Joynes, who was traveling to the U.S., said despite the large queues, the airport “seems to be prepared and the queues are moving much faster than I feared”.

“They are also calling out specific flights and picking people out of the queue to ensure they don’t miss their flights,” he added, per the BBC.