Airports across Europe were thrown into disarray Saturday after a cyberattack disabled automated check-in and boarding systems at several major hubs, forcing staff to switch to manual procedures and leaving frustrated travelers in long lines.
Brussels, Berlin Brandenburg, and London Heathrow were among the hardest hit, with Brussels reporting nine flight cancellations, four diversions, and at least 15 significant delays. Passengers described chaotic scenes, with baggage tags being handwritten and limited staff available to handle the surge of manual check-ins.
The attack targeted Collins Aerospace’s MUSE (Multi-User System Environment) platform, a widely used check-in and boarding system relied upon by multiple airlines and airports. Collins confirmed the “cyber-related disruption” and said teams were “actively working to restore full functionality.” Heathrow reported minimal disruptions, while Berlin airport said no cancellations had yet been directly linked to the incident but kept systems disconnected as a precaution.
Cybersecurity experts warned that the attack highlights growing vulnerabilities in the aviation industry, which relies heavily on third-party digital platforms. “This is a very clever cyberattack indeed,” said travel analyst Paul Charles. “It’s not just one airport or one airline — hackers went after the core system enabling multiple airlines to check in passengers across Europe.”
Charlotte Wilson, head of enterprise at cybersecurity firm Check Point, called aviation an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals due to its interconnected digital infrastructure. “When one vendor is compromised, the ripple effect can be immediate and far-reaching,” she said.
Authorities are still investigating who is behind the breach, with some analysts suggesting it may be an act of digital vandalism rather than extortion. For now, airports are advising passengers to check flight statuses before traveling and to expect possible delays as systems are gradually restored.