Cyberattack Hits European Airports; Flights Delayed As Check-In Systems Disrupted At Heathrow, Brussels

A cyberattack on check-in and boarding systems disrupted flights at major European airports, including Brussels, Berlin, and Heathrow, causing delays; some Paris airports remained unaffected.

Cyberattack Disrupts Check-In Systems, Delays Flights Across Major European Airports

Source : ANI

A cyberattack on check-in and boarding systems has caused flight delays and disrupted operations at several major European airports, officials reported Saturday.

Brussels Airport said the breach forced staff to handle check-ins and boarding manually, significantly affecting flight schedules.

“There was a cyberattack on Friday night, September 19, targeting the service provider for check-in and boarding systems, impacting multiple European airports, including Brussels,” the airport said in a statement.

Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport also reported that its passenger handling service provider was attacked on Friday evening, forcing operators to disconnect from the systems.

London Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, described the issue as “a technical problem” affecting a check-in and boarding service provider.

“Collins Aerospace, which supplies check-in and boarding systems to several airlines across multiple airports worldwide, is experiencing a technical issue that may result in delays for departing passengers,” Heathrow said.

While the provider works to resolve the problem quickly, we advise passengers to check their flight status with their airline before travelling. Please arrive no earlier than three hours before a long-haul flight or two hours before a domestic flight. Additional colleagues are available in check-in areas to assist and help minimise disruption.
 
We apologise for any inconvenience, the post added. 

Collins Aerospace, which provides check-in and boarding systems for several airlines across multiple airports globally, is experiencing a technical issue that may cause delays for departing passengers.

While the provider works to resolve the problem quickly, we advise… pic.twitter.com/f68e9CbIlu

— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) September 20, 2025

Airports urged travelers to confirm their flight status and apologized for any inconvenience.

Air India Travel Advisory: Possible Check-In Delays at Heathrow

Air India passengers flying from London may experience delays at check-in due to a third-party passenger system disruption at Heathrow Airport. Our ground teams are working diligently to minimise any inconvenience.

#TravelAdvisory

A third-party passenger system disruption at Heathrow may cause delays in the check-in process. Our ground teams in London are working to minimise inconvenience.

Passengers flying with us from London today are advised to complete their web check-in before…

— Air India (@airindia) September 20, 2025

To ensure a smooth experience, passengers are strongly advised to complete their web check-in before arriving at the airport.

Collins Aerospace, a US-based aviation and defense technology firm founded in 2018 and a subsidiary of RTX Corp. (formerly Raytheon Technologies), provides the technology that allows passengers to check in, print boarding passes and bag tags, and dispatch luggage from kiosks, though it doesn’t manage direct check-ins itself.

No comment was immediately available from Collins’ U.K. office near London Gatwick, the country’s second-busiest airport.

Some airports were unaffected; Paris-area airports including Roissy, Orly, and Le Bourget reported no disruptions.