Disruption at European Airports After Cyberattack
Overview of the Incident
A cyberattack that targeted check-in systems at several major European airports caused significant delays and cancellations over the weekend, stretching into a second day on Sunday. Passengers faced numerous flight disruptions, particularly as one of the hardest-hit locations, Brussels Airport, prepared for further impacts.
Impact on Operations at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport announced it would be canceling nearly 140 departing flights scheduled for Monday due to ongoing issues with a U.S.-based software provider. This decision came after 25 outbound flights were called off on Saturday and another 50 on Sunday, highlighting the severity of the situation. The airport indicated that it would continue to experience cancellations and delays until a secure version of the check-in system could be restored.
Software Provider Affected
The cyberattack was linked to a software disruption within Collins Aerospace, which offers essential services for passenger check-in, boarding pass printing, and baggage dispatch. The company confirmed the chaos was due to a "cyber-related disruption" affecting selected airports across Europe.
Investigation into the Cyberattack
While the source of the cyberattack remains unclear, cybersecurity experts consider it possible that hackers or criminal organizations may be behind the incident. The European Commission reassured travelers that overall aviation safety and air traffic control were not in jeopardy and characterized the event as not being a widespread or severe attack. Investigations into the origins of the disruption are currently ongoing.
A Closer Look at Flight Cancellations
For Monday, Brussels Airport indicated it had requested airlines to cancel approximately half of the 276 scheduled flights. These measures were taken in light of the ongoing challenges posed by Collins Aerospace’s failure to deliver a secure update for the check-in system. As manual check-in processes became the norm, the airport continued to encourage passengers to utilize alternative check-in methods.
Other Affected Airports: A Mixed Bag
As both London’s Heathrow and Berlin’s Brandenburg airports appeared to recover with smoother operations on Sunday, Brussels Airport remained in a challenging situation. The airport communicated that despite the disruption, they were able to maintain around 85% of their scheduled departures over the weekend, thanks in part to additional staffing and the functionality of self-service bag drop and online check-in systems.
Support for Passengers
In light of ongoing issues, passengers were advised to regularly check flight statuses and use alternative check-in options whenever possible. Despite the disruptions, Heathrow Airport issued an apology and emphasized that, through collaboration with airlines, most flights managed to operate normally.
Continuing Challenges
Messages from airports highlighted the ongoing priority of resolving the operational disruptions. Brandenburg Airport noted on its website that wait times would be extended due to the systems outage and encouraged passengers to make use of available online and self-service check-in options.
As the situation continues to develop, it remains imperative for travelers to stay informed and prepared for any potential impacts on their travel plans in the coming days.
