Cyber-Attack Disrupts Heathrow and European Airports

Mon Sep 29 2025 04:37:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A cyber-attack has led to significant delays at Heathrow and several other major European airports, affecting check-in and baggage processes. Passengers are experiencing long queues and uncertainty over flight schedules.

Heathrow, along with Brussels and Berlin airports, faced significant disruptions due to a cyber-attack on an electronic check-in and baggage system provided by Collins Aerospace. Delays are widespread, with manual check-in processes implemented at many locations. Airlines are working to resolve issues, but many flights have already been impacted. Passengers are advised to check their flight status before arriving at the airports.

Heathrow is among several European airports hit by a cyber-attack affecting an electronic check-in and baggage system.

The airport warned of possible delays due to a technical issue affecting software provided by Collins Aerospace to several airlines.

Brussels Airport said a cyber-attack on Friday night meant passengers were being checked in and boarded manually, while Berlin's Brandenburg Airport also reported longer waiting times due to the problem.

RTX, which owns Collins Aerospace, said it was aware of a cyber-related disruption to its system in select airports and that it was working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

The company added: The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations.

It said the attack hit its Muse software - which allows different airlines to use the same check-in desks and boarding gates at an airport, rather than requiring their own.

The BBC understands that British Airways is operating as normal using a back-up system, but that most other airlines operating from Heathrow have been affected.

Hundreds of flights have been delayed at the airports throughout Saturday, according to flight tracker FlightAware.

Lucy Spencer said she had been queuing to check in for a Malaysia Airlines flight for more than two hours, and that staff were manually tagging luggage and checking passengers in over the phone.

Another passenger, Monazza Aslam, expressed frustration having sat on the tarmac for over an hour with no updates on her flight, which caused her to miss a connection.

The situation is critical, as passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline and arrive only within the recommended timeframes.

It has been reported that some airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair, which do not operate out of Heathrow, are functioning normally amidst these disruptions.

The overall impact of this cyber-attack is still being assessed, but signs point towards a significant operational challenge across key European airports.