Over 500 flights delayed or canceled at Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin; Indian travelers urged to check with airlines
A massive cyberattack on a third-party aviation service provider has caused chaos at some of Europe’s busiest airports, including London Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin-Brandenburg, disrupting automated check-in and boarding systems.
The attack, which began on Saturday, September 20, has impacted thousands of passengers and raised serious concerns over aviation cybersecurity, with India’s Delhi Airport and Air India also issuing urgent advisories for Europe-bound travelers.
What Happened: Cyberattack on Collins Aerospace System
- A “cyber-related disruption” hit the MUSE system (Multi-User System Environment) provided by Collins Aerospace, affecting electronic check-in and baggage drop services.
- Parent company RTX (Raytheon Technologies) confirmed the incident but did not name the affected airports.
- The problem has forced airports and airlines to switch to manual check-in processes, resulting in delays, long queues, and passenger frustration.
Airports Affected Across Europe
At least five major airports have reported disruptions:
- Heathrow (London)
- Brussels Airport
- Berlin-Brandenburg
- Dublin Airport
- Cork Airport
As of early evening in Europe:
- 445 delays and 18 cancellations at Heathrow (FlightAware)
- 254 delays and 21 cancellations at Brussels
- 202 delays and 2 cancellations at Berlin
According to FlightRadar, over 500 flights were impacted across these airports on Saturday.
India Responds: Delhi Airport & Air India Issue Advisories
Delhi Airport said:
“Due to cyberattacks impacting European airports, Europe-bound flights to and from Delhi Airport may experience disruptions. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines.”
Air India added:
“Third-party passenger system disruption at Heathrow may cause check-in delays. Web check-in is advised.”
Air India’s ground teams in London are working to minimize passenger inconvenience.
Flight Cancellations & Passenger Chaos
- Brussels Airport asked airlines to cancel 50% of departing flights on Sunday, September 21, to prevent overcrowding.
- Heathrow Terminal 4 saw long queues, delays, and passenger confrontations.
- As per aviation data provider Cirium, 29 flights were cancelled at Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin by 11:30 GMT.
- 651 departures were scheduled from Heathrow on Saturday alone.
Expert Reactions & Cybersecurity Concerns
Paul Charles (CEO, The PC Agency) said:
“It’s deeply concerning that a company of Collins Aerospace’s scale has been hit. They’re one of the most experienced airport systems providers in the world.”
EU’s Response:
- The European Commission is “closely monitoring” the situation.
Possible Russian Involvement?
- The UK Liberal Democrats have questioned whether Russia may be behind the cyberattack, urging the government to issue an official statement.
“If the Kremlin is behind this, causing chaos at our busiest airports, we need to respond firmly,” said MP Calum Miller.
What You Need to Know
| Impact Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Affected Airports | Heathrow, Brussels, Berlin, Dublin, Cork |
| Systems Affected | MUSE – check-in and baggage handling |
| Flights Disrupted | 500+ delays and cancellations |
| Countries on Alert | UK, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, India |
| Advisory from India | Delhi Airport & Air India urge web check-in |
| Cybersecurity Risk | Suspected hacking – state actors not ruled out |
