A cyber attack on a key provider of airline check-in and boarding systems has disrupted operations at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, the continent’s busiest hub, leading to widespread flight delays and cancellations.
The incident targeted systems operated by Collins Aerospace, a US-based aviation technology firm that supplies airlines and airports worldwide. Heathrow Airport confirmed it had been affected, warning passengers to expect delays. Similar disruptions were reported at Brussels and Berlin airports, which said the attack had forced them to switch to manual check-in and boarding procedures.
RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged what it called a “cyber-related disruption” affecting some of its software systems at selected airports, though it did not specify which locations were impacted. In a statement, the company stressed that the problem was limited to electronic passenger check-in and baggage drop functions and could be mitigated with manual operations.
Brussels Airport described the attack as having a “large impact on the flight schedule,” noting that the disruption began late on Thursday night. “This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations of flights,” the airport said, urging travelers to check with their airlines before arriving.
Berlin Airport issued a similar warning on its website, saying: “Due to a technical issue at a system provider… there are longer waiting times at check-in. We are working on a quick solution.”
While Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s largest, confirmed it was not affected, Zurich Airport also reported that its operations were running as normal.
Airlines responded cautiously to the disruption. EasyJet, one of Europe’s largest carriers, said its flights were operating normally and it did not expect further impacts. Ryanair and British Airways parent company IAG did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Officials in other countries sought to reassure passengers that the disruption was contained. Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said there were no indications of threats to Polish airports.
The scale of the attack highlights the aviation industry’s dependence on centralised digital systems, which can become single points of failure when targeted by cybercriminals. With airports handling tens of thousands of passengers daily, even short-lived outages to automated systems can create significant knock-on effects for airlines and travelers.
As engineers worked to restore Collins Aerospace’s systems, airports across Europe advised passengers with scheduled flights to confirm details directly with their airlines before setting out, warning that delays and cancellations could continue through the day.
The incident underscores the growing vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats, with air travel—already strained by high passenger volumes—particularly exposed when digital systems are disrupted.
