Cyberattack Disrupts Airport Check-in in Europe
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European Airport Disruptions: Cyberattack on Collins Aerospace Impacts Check-in Systems
A meaningful cyberattack targeting check-in and boarding systems caused widespread disruption and delays at several major European airports overnight on september 19, 2023. While the immediate impact on travellers appeared limited, the incident has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the aviation industry’s reliance on interconnected technology and third-party service providers.
The Scope of the disruption
Initial reports indicated a “large impact” on flight schedules at Brussels Airport, with many other European airports reporting unaffected operations. The core issue centered around Collins Aerospace, a major provider of check-in, boarding, and baggage handling systems. The disruption forced airlines to revert to manual check-in and boarding procedures, causing delays and queues.
Specifically, the attack affected Collins Aerospace’s MUSE software, which facilitates self-service check-in kiosks, boarding pass and bag tag printing, and baggage dispatch. The reliance on this single system across multiple airlines and airports amplified the impact of the attack.
Here’s a breakdown of the reported impacts as of midday,September 20,2023:
| Airport | Reported Impact | Status (as of 12:00 CET,Sept 20) |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels Airport | 9 flights cancelled,4 redirected,15+ delayed (1 hour+) | Partially Recovered - Manual check-in largely resolved. |
| Berlin Brandenburg Airport | No flights cancelled *directly* due to the attack, but potential for change. Connections to affected systems cut. | Monitoring – Systems isolated, no immediate cancellations. |
| London Heathrow Airport | Minimal disruption,no flight cancellations directly linked to the attack. | Unaffected – Operations largely normal. |
| Other European Airports | Varied reports - many unaffected, some experiencing minor delays. | Monitoring – Assessing potential impact. |
Understanding the Attack: Technical Details and Potential Actors
while the precise nature of the cyberattack remains under investigation, experts suggest several possibilities.The