European Airports Face Ongoing Disruption After Cyber-Attack

 

Airports across Europe remain disrupted following a cyber-attack on Friday that affected check-in and boarding systems. Brussels Airport has been the worst hit, asking airlines to cancel nearly 140 of its 276 scheduled outbound flights on Monday. The disruption, which spread across several of Europe’s busiest airports, has left passengers facing long delays and cancellations. 

While Berlin and London Heathrow reported some improvements by Sunday, both airports continue to handle significant issues. In Berlin, some airlines have resorted to boarding passengers manually, while in London, about half of the airlines were reported to be back online with temporary fixes, including British Airways using a backup system.

The company behind the software, Collins Aerospace, confirmed on Monday that it is in the final stages of completing updates to restore normal operations. However, Brussels Airport noted that it remains unclear how long it will take before the issue is fully resolved. Passengers are being advised to check flight statuses before travelling as uncertainty continues across multiple airports.

See also: Globally, Palestine Gains Recognition from UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal

Authorities and officials are closely monitoring the ongoing situation after the cyber-attack. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre confirmed it is working alongside Collins Aerospace, affected airports, the Department for Transport, and law enforcement agencies to fully assess the impact of the disruption. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated she is receiving regular updates and continues to track the developments. Meanwhile, the European Commission, which oversees airspace management across Europe, said it is monitoring the issue carefully but noted there is no evidence that the attack has been widespread or caused severe damage to airspace management systems.

Despite reassurances, the incident highlights a growing concern within the aviation sector. According to a recent report by French aerospace company Thales, cyber-attacks targeting aviation have increased by 600 percent over the past year. This sharp rise underscores the vulnerability of critical systems in international air travel. For now, the priority remains restoring normal operations and minimising disruption for passengers, many of whom remain stranded or facing significant travel delays at major European airports.

See also: (In the UK) Actress Lynne McGranger Bids Farewell to Home and Away