Cyber Attack Disrupts Major Airports: What You Need to Know
LONDON — The fallout from yesterday’s major cyber attack targeting Collins Aerospace’s MUSE check in and boarding systems continues today. Passengers at Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin airports are still facing delays and flight cancellations as airports struggle to restore normal operations. The incident has raised fresh concerns about aviation cybersecurity and dependency on third party vendors.
What’s Happening Now
From early Sunday morning, Brussels Airport has asked airlines to cancel nearly half of departing flights scheduled for Monday, citing that the compromised software provider “is not yet able to deliver a secure version of the system.” (apnews.com)
At Heathrow, delays continue with many flights still being processed manually. Berlin reported more than 70 percent of flights delayed, many experiencing long queues and frustration among travellers. (theguardian.com)
How It Started
The disruption began Friday night when users of Collins Aerospace’s MUSE (Multi User System Environment) software reported failures in check in and baggage drop systems. Airlines were forced to switch to manual procedures. Airports emphasised that safety is not affected, but that passenger processing has slowed dramatically. (apnews.com)
Broader Trend and Risks
This incident is part of a growing wave of cyber threats to critical infrastructure. Earlier in 2025, large organisations in retail, automotive, and public sectors including Jaguar Land Rover, Marks and Spencer, and the Co op have suffered attacks. Experts see increasing targeting of supply chain vendors and third party software providers as particularly risky. (theguardian.com)
Cybersecurity professionals warn that failures in third party systems can cascade — what might begin as a localised issue can rapidly affect many airports, disrupt travel networks, and damage public trust. (apnews.com)
Quotes and Official Response
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I am receiving regular updates and we are monitoring the situation closely. We advise all travellers to check with their airlines before coming to the airport.” (theguardian.com)
Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX, confirmed there was a “cyber related disruption” and stated that it is working to restore secure operations. They emphasised that the attack is isolated to check in and baggage drop operations. (apnews.com)
Cybersecurity expert Prof. Alan Woodward cautioned: “Centralised systems are efficient — but when they fail, they fail hard. We need redundancy, better incident response, and faster recovery plans.” (theguardian.com)
What This Means Going Forward
- Passenger disruption will linger: Expect more delays and cancellations over the next 24 to 48 hours, especially at Brussels. Manual check in means longer lines and reduced capacity. (apnews.com)
- Strain on airlines: Manual processes are labour intensive, error prone, and costly. Airlines may see financial losses from cancelled flights, rebookings, and passenger compensation obligations.
- Regulatory pressure: Governments and regulators may demand stricter cybersecurity standards for third party providers serving critical transport infrastructure. The UK’s NCSC is already assisting in investigations. (theguardian.com)
- Industry reevaluation: Airports and airlines will likely re examine backup systems, offline workflows, and resilience planning. Dependence on single vendors for core systems is being shown as a weakness.
What Passengers Should Do
If you are travelling from or via one of the affected airports:
- Check your flight status directly with your airline before heading to the airport.
- Allow extra time at check in and baggage drop, especially if arriving at peak hours.
- Use self service or online check in where possible; manual alternatives are slow.
- Consider travel insurance details in case of cancellations or missed connections.
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By Fidelis News Staff — 21 September 2025
