Post by : Naveen Mittal

Cyberattack Targets European Airports' Check-In Systems

On Friday, September 19, 2025, a cyberattack targeted Collins Aerospace, a provider of check-in and boarding systems for major European airports, including London's Heathrow, Berlin Brandenburg, and Brussels. The attack disrupted the MUSE software, causing significant delays and cancellations at these airports.

Impact on Flight Operations

Brussels Airport was the hardest hit, with 50 out of 257 scheduled departures on Sunday canceled due to the compromised software. The airport requested airlines to cancel half of Monday's departures to manage the ongoing disruptions. In contrast, operations at Heathrow and Berlin airports showed improvement by Sunday, with delays and cancellations significantly reduced.

Collins Aerospace's Response

Collins Aerospace, owned by RTX, acknowledged the cyberattack and stated that it was working to restore full functionality of the MUSE software. The company emphasized that manual check-in procedures were being implemented to mitigate the impact on passengers. However, as of Sunday, Brussels Airport reported that Collins had not yet delivered a secure, updated version of the software necessary to restore full functionality.

Investigation and Security Measures

The European Union's cybersecurity agency, ENISA, confirmed that the disruptions were the result of a third-party ransomware attack. Law enforcement authorities are actively investigating the incident. This cyberattack highlights the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the aviation sector.

Conclusion

The cyberattack on Collins Aerospace's check-in systems has caused significant disruptions at major European airports, affecting thousands of passengers. While efforts are underway to restore normal operations, the incident underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols in safeguarding critical infrastructure.