Airports across Europe face disruptions due to cyberattack
EUROPE: OPERATIONS at several airports across Europe faced disruptions Saturday after an apparent cyberattack targeted the service provider for check-in and boarding systems.
Several flights were delayed or canceled at airports in London, Berlin and Brussels.
“There was a cyberattack on Friday night, 19 September, against the service provider for the check-in and boarding systems, affecting several European airports, including Brussels Airport,” a statement shared on the website of Brussels Airport said.
“This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will, unfortunately, cause delays and cancellations of flights,” the operator said.
“The service provider is actively working on the issue and trying to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”
The airport authorities advised the passengers with a flight scheduled for Saturday to confirm their travel with airlines before heading to the airport.
Service provider reports ‘cyber-related disruption’
Meanwhile, airport service provider Collins Aerospace confirmed to AFP that multiple European airports, including those in Brussels, Berlin, and London (Heathrow), were hit by “cyber-related disruption,” which affected the check-in and baggage drop systems, causing delays.
“We have become aware of a cyber-related disruption to our MUSE software in select airports,” the aerospace firm said.
It added that the impact is “limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations.”
More airports in Europe report issues
Heathrow also warned of delays caused by “a technical issue” at a third-party supplier.
Meanwhile, Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport ran a banner on its website saying, “Due to a technical issue at a system provider operating across Europe, there are longer waiting times at check-in. We are working on a quick solution.”
Authorities at Heathrow and Berlin airports did not say what caused the “technical issues.”
Saturday’s apparent cyberattack comes a day after the airport in Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg, said that its website had been hacked.
