On September 19, Heathrow and several other European airports experienced significant delays after a cyber attack, targeting aviation company Collins Aerospace, disrupted electronic check-in and baggage systems.
The affected airlines reported slowdowns, as staff had to process passengers manually, resulting in long queues and extended waiting times. Brussels Airport also faced major delays, while Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport reported congestion at check-in areas.
This incident is not the first of its kind. High-profile ransomware attacks are on the rise, with airports and aerospace being just one of the targets.
Airports & Travellers In Chaos
Due to the cyber attack, most airlines at Heathrow experienced disruptions, although British Airways continued to use a backup system.
Additional airport personnel had to be deployed to assist passengers, with officials advising travellers to check flight status and avoid arriving too early.
The affected passengers described long waits, missed connections, and hours of frustration, with no idea of when a resolution would be found.
Exposing Vulnerability
The incident highlights the vulnerability of airports to digital threats and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect essential operations.
However, cyber attacks are increasingly commonplace in businesses of all sizes, and cyber security services, such as those offered by https://www.majestecltd.co.uk/, can offer advice and solutions on how to mitigate threats.
While aviation systems are highly interconnected, which can cause a localised IT problem to affect multiple airports, an attack on a business can also have a ripple effect with even more devastating long-term consequences.
A man was arrested for the September 19 attack, but investigations are ongoing.