Cyber Disruption Hits Major European Airports, Causing Flight Delays and Cancellations

Brussels: Several major European airports, including Brussels Airport, Berlin Brandenburg, and London’s Heathrow, experienced widespread disruptions on Saturday following a “cyber-related” incident that impacted automated check-in and baggage systems.

The disruption was linked to a system failure at Collins Aerospace, a key airport service provider and subsidiary of U.S. defense giant RTX (formerly Raytheon). The affected software, known as MUSE, supports electronic check-in and baggage drop services at numerous international airports.

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

At Brussels Airport, the issue—described by officials as a “cyberattack”—led to at least 10 flight cancellations and 17 significant delays. Manual check-in was still in effect Saturday morning, and passengers were advised to confirm their flight status before arriving. Eurocontrol, Europe’s aviation regulator, requested airlines to cancel 50% of flights to and from Brussels between 04:00 GMT Saturday and 02:00 GMT Sunday.

London’s Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, also confirmed disruptions caused by the Collins Aerospace software issue. “A technical issue is affecting check-in and boarding systems. We’re working with our airline partners to minimize delays,” the airport said.

Berlin Airport issued a similar warning, posting a banner on its website advising travelers of longer wait times due to a technical issue at “a system provider operating across Europe.”

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The incident underscores growing concerns over cybersecurity in the aviation sector. A June 2025 report by French aerospace firm Thales revealed a staggering 600% increase in cyberattacks targeting the aviation industry from 2024 to 2025. The report warned that every aspect of the aviation ecosystem—from airlines and airports to navigation systems and suppliers—is now a “prime target” for cyber threats.