Cyberattack causes disruption at European airports including Heathrow, Brussels

 

A cyberattack on a major service provider has disrupted check-in and boarding operations at several leading European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The attack has rendered automated systems inoperable, forcing airports to rely on manual processes for passenger handling. Brussels Airport said the disruption would have a significant impact on its flight schedule, warning travellers of delays and cancellations. The operator confirmed that the affected provider is working urgently to resolve the issue.

Heathrow also acknowledged delays caused by what it described as a technical problem at a third-party supplier. Berlin Airport echoed the warning, stating that passengers should expect long waiting times at check-in and that efforts are underway to restore systems. In contrast, Frankfurt Airport confirmed it was not affected by the incident.

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Passengers scheduled to travel this weekend have been advised to confirm flight status with their airlines before heading to airports. The disruption is the latest reminder of the vulnerability of aviation systems to cyberattacks, which can trigger major delays across multiple countries in a short period of time.

The cyberattack has highlighted the risks posed by digital threats to Europe’s aviation industry. With check-in and boarding systems across multiple airports dependent on shared service providers, a single breach has caused widespread disruption. Experts say this type of attack exposes the vulnerability of airport infrastructure, as manual fallback procedures cannot handle large passenger volumes efficiently.

At Brussels Airport, officials reported that delays and cancellations were inevitable until the systems were restored. Berlin Airport published a warning banner on its website advising passengers to allow extra time and prepare for long queues. Heathrow issued a similar advisory, urging travellers to stay updated through airlines and avoid arriving at the airport without confirmed flight details.

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The incident has not impacted Frankfurt Airport, which confirmed its systems are operating normally. While no information has yet been released about the origin or scale of the cyberattack, security teams and the affected provider are working urgently to contain the damage.

The disruption underscores growing concerns about cyberthreats in global aviation, with authorities under pressure to strengthen digital resilience and protect travellers from future incidents.