A cyberattack targeting aviation systems provider Collins Aerospace has caused widespread disruption across several major European airports. The incident left passengers stranded and airlines scrambling as check-in and baggage systems were forced offline, resulting in delays and cancellations throughout the weekend.
Disruption at Key Airports
London Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, confirmed that Collins Aerospace’s software systems suffered a major outage that slowed down passenger processing. Brussels Airport and Berlin Airport also reported serious disruptions after automated check-in and baggage handling systems were disabled, forcing staff to switch to manual operations.
“This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will, unfortunately, cause delays and cancellations,” Brussels Airport said in a statement. Berlin Airport issued a similar warning, asking passengers to arrive early and expect longer waiting times.
Parent Company Confirms Cyber Incident
RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged the disruption in a statement to Reuters. The firm described the attack as a cyber-related event that affected customer check-in and baggage systems in selected airports.
The company assured the public that flights were still able to operate through manual procedures and said its teams were “working to fix the issue as quickly as possible.”
Notably, Frankfurt Airport and Zurich Airport reported that they had not been affected, underscoring the selective nature of the attack.
Airlines React to the Disruption
EasyJet confirmed that its flights were operating normally and said it did not expect significant disruption to its weekend schedule. Other carriers, including Ryanair and British Airways parent company IAG, had not issued immediate updates on the situation.
In Poland, Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski confirmed that no Polish airports were affected by the incident.
Passengers traveling from impacted airports were advised to contact their airlines before heading out, as delays and cancellations were expected to persist until systems were fully restored.
Growing Cybersecurity Threats in Aviation
The aviation industry has become an increasing target for cybercriminals and hacktivist groups over the past year. Critical airport systems such as passenger check-in, baggage handling, and flight scheduling are now heavily digitized, making them vulnerable to attacks.
In July 2025, Russia’s flagship carrier Aeroflot suffered a cyberattack that forced the cancellation of more than 100 flights, disrupting both local and international travel. Earlier this year, a ransomware attack on Kuala Lumpur’s main airport forced ground staff to revert to manual operations for several hours.
Cyber experts warn that such incidents highlight a growing vulnerability within global aviation infrastructure. The reliance on interconnected systems means that a single breach at a key service provider, such as Collins Aerospace, can have a ripple effect across multiple countries.
Looking Ahead
As airlines and airports rush to restore normal operations, industry regulators are expected to face mounting pressure to strengthen cyber resilience across aviation networks. The Collins Aerospace incident serves as another reminder that cybersecurity is no longer a back-end concern but a frontline issue that can ground flights and disrupt economies.
With aviation demand surging globally, protecting critical systems from cyber threats has become a top priority for airlines, airports, and governments alike.
