Cyberattack on Provider of Billing and Boarding Systems Causes Delays at Several European Airports

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A cyberattack against Collins Aerospace, a provider of airline billing and boarding systems, disrupted operations this Saturday at several of Europe’s busiest airports, including London’s Heathrow, the continent’s most trafficked airport. The incident caused delays and forced the implementation of manual processes in various countries.

MUSE Software Failure

Parent company RTX confirmed that it was a “cyber disruption” affecting its MUSE software, which is used at select airports. According to a company statement, the impact was limited to electronic passenger check-in and self-service baggage drop—functions that could be replaced by manual processing. No details were provided regarding the origin of the attack or those responsible.

Affected Airports and Flight Figures

At Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, 29 departures and arrivals had already been canceled, according to data from Cirium. For that day alone, 651 departures were scheduled from Heathrow, 228 from Brussels, and 226 from Berlin.

In Ireland, Dublin reported limited impact, while Cork, the country’s second-largest airport, also experienced minor disruptions. In contrast, Frankfurt, Germany’s largest airport, reported that its operations were not affected.

Official Reactions and Measures

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre and Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security confirmed they were working closely with airport authorities to assess the scale of the incident.

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In Brussels, airport administration explained that the attack occurred on Friday night and that it was necessary to resort to manual boarding procedures. So far, ten flights have been canceled, and the average delay for departures reached one hour.

British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander stated that she is receiving constant updates on the situation.

Passenger Testimonies

The impact on travelers was immediate. Journalist Tereza Pultarova, interviewed by the BBC from Heathrow, described the lack of information for those awaiting connecting flights. “It’s been very chaotic and frustrating for most people,” she said.

In Berlin, passengers such as Kim Reisen and Siegfried Schwarz highlighted the confusion and lack of clarity. “It’s inexplicable that with today’s technology there isn’t a way to protect against something like this,” Schwarz commented.

A Global Pattern of Cyberattacks

This incident is the latest in a series of cyberattacks that have targeted critical infrastructure and industrial sectors in recent months. From healthcare to automotive to defense, multiple companies have experienced security breaches. A recent case involved Jaguar Land Rover, which had to halt production following an intrusion.

Experts such as Rob Jardin, Digital Director at cybersecurity firm NymVPN, warn that hackers no longer act solely as isolated criminals but also as tools of hostile states. “Supply chains have become an easy target for generating chaos in Europe,” he noted.