A cyberattack on Collins Aerospace has caused widespread flight delays and cancellations across major European airports, including Heathrow. Experts suspect Russian hackers, as the attack coincides with recent Russian airspace violations. The EU is monitoring the situation, though flight safety remains unaffected.
Cyberattack Disrupts European Airports: Thousands of Flights Delayed
Cyberattack Disrupts European Airports: Thousands of Flights Delayed
Thousands of travelers are facing delays and cancellations following a cyberattack on several European airports. The disruption could last for days, reports BBC. Experts suggest Russian hackers may be behind the chaos, according to Daily Mail.
Suddenly, the electronic check-in and baggage systems used at several major European airports stopped functioning. This occurred after Collins Aerospace, the company providing the system, was hit by a cyberattack.
At affected airports, including Heathrow in London, passengers could only check in and board manually. The cyberattack led to significant delays and cancellations on Saturday.
Risk of Continued Delays
Travelers reported chaos and long queues in several locations.
"They told us to use the mobile boarding pass, but when we got to the gate, it didn't work. So now they've sent us back to check-in," Lucy Spencer told BBC.
RTX, the company that owns Collins Aerospace, confirmed a "cyber-related disruption" in the system and stated they are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
The European Commission has stated it is "closely monitoring the cyberattack," reports The Guardian. "While passengers are experiencing disruptions, flight safety and air traffic management are not affected. Current indications do not suggest a widespread or severe attack."
Ongoing Disruptions
The flight disruptions may continue over the weekend. Brussels Airport has urged airlines to cancel half of Sunday's flights, hoping to reduce queues and prevent last-minute cancellations, writes Belgian De Standaard.
Travelers are advised to pay close attention to information from their airline regarding departures.
Travel journalist Simon Calder told BBC:
"Everything is interconnected, so a small problem in Brussels, in Berlin... people start missing connections, planes, passengers, and pilots are not where they should be, and things can get worse before they get better."
Alan Woodward, a cybersecurity professor at the University of Surrey, told The Guardian that "the disruptions will be enormous" if Collins Aerospace is forced to shut down the entire system to resolve the issue.
Russia Suspected
Experts consulted by Daily Mail suggest Russian hackers may be behind the attack.
"It has characteristics that suggest Russia could be behind it," cybersecurity expert Philip Ingram told the newspaper.
It is still too early to confirm anything. However, Ingram points out that the cyberattack comes at a time when Russia has violated the airspace of several other European countries, and two NATO countries have just invoked Article 4.
"Putin is clearly testing different NATO countries, both to see their military reaction and their political reaction," Ingram told Daily Mail.
Cybersecurity expert Rob Jardin also points to Russia as a likely source behind the attack.
"The timing of this attack, coming just hours after reported Russian intrusions into NATO airspace, will only fuel suspicions. Airports are high-profile targets with significant impact," he told Daily Mail.
According to Swedavia, no Swedish airports were directly affected by the cyberattack.