A massive cyberattack has thrown airports across Europe and beyond into turmoil, leaving passengers stranded and flights grounded. The attack, which struck late Friday, targeted Collins Aerospace, a key provider of passenger processing systems used for check-in and boarding worldwide. With automated systems down, airport staff were forced to revert to slower, manual procedures, creating long lines and widespread delays.
London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest in Europe, was among the hardest hit, reporting significant disruptions to its flight schedule. In a statement, Heathrow confirmed that Collins Aerospace was the target and said teams were working around the clock to restore normal service. Collins Aerospace acknowledged the “cyber-related disruption” and said efforts were underway to “restore full functionality as quickly as possible.”
The impact quickly spread across the continent, with Brussels Airport warning travelers of significant delays and cancellations throughout the weekend. Berlin Airport also reported long wait times at check-in counters due to the system outage.
Canadian passengers traveling through Europe have been urged to check flight statuses with their airlines before heading to the airport. With no official timeline for when systems will be fully restored, travelers connecting through London, Brussels, or Berlin are likely to face continued delays and cancellations until normal operations resume.