A significant cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace's MUSE software caused widespread disruptions at major European airports on Saturday, September 19th, 2023, leading to flight delays and cancellations. The attack impacted check-in and baggage drop systems, forcing airports to rely on manual processes. Brussels Airport, one of the hardest hit, proactively canceled half of its scheduled departures on Sunday, September 20th, to mitigate the effects of long queues and further delays. The airport urged passengers to confirm their flight status with their airlines before traveling.
The incident affected several key airports, including Brussels Airport in Belgium, Heathrow Airport in London, and Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany. Reports also surfaced of minor impacts at Dublin and Cork airports in Ireland. Airlines and airports experienced significant delays, with numerous flights canceled. Aviation data provider Cirium reported at least 29 cancellations at Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels alone. These cancellations impacted a substantial number of scheduled departures; Heathrow had 651 scheduled departures on Saturday, while Brussels and Berlin had 228 and 226, respectively.
Collins Aerospace, the provider of the affected MUSE software, acknowledged the cyber-related disruption, confirming that the issue was limited to electronic check-in and baggage drop systems. They emphasized that the problem could be managed through manual operations. While the company worked to resolve the issue, airports implemented contingency plans, including the use of manual check-in processes, to minimize the disruption for passengers. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of airport systems to cyberattacks and the potential for widespread disruption to air travel. The timing also followed an unrelated hacking incident at St. Petersburg airport in Russia, adding to concerns about cybersecurity in the aviation sector.
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Originally published at: https://www.dw.com/en/airports-across-europe-face-disruptions-due-to-cyberattack/a-74073365
