Cyberattack forces flight cancellations across major European airports
Passengers urged to confirm flights before arriving at airports
DUBAI – A cyberattack on a service provider managing check-in and boarding systems has disrupted operations at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin, leaving passengers facing delays and cancellations on Saturday.
The attack has left automated systems inoperable, forcing staff to revert to manual check-in and boarding processes, Reuters reported.
Airports affected
Brussels Airport confirmed on its website that the cyberattack has had a significant impact on flight schedules, with delays and cancellations already in effect. It reported 10 flights cancelled and at least 17 experiencing delays of more than an hour. Passengers were advised to confirm their travel details directly with airlines before heading to the airport.
London’s Heathrow Airport also acknowledged the disruption, warning travellers of possible delays. It said Collins Aerospace, the company responsible for providing check-in and boarding systems to multiple airlines worldwide, was facing a “technical issue” that could affect departing passengers. Extra staff had been deployed in check-in areas to help minimise disruption.
Collins Aerospace, which provides check-in and boarding systems for several airlines across multiple airports globally, is experiencing a technical issue that may cause delays for departing passengers.
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) September 20, 2025
While the provider works to resolve the problem quickly, we advise… pic.twitter.com/f68e9CbIlu
Berlin Airport announced longer waiting times for passengers due to the issue, confirming that it was affecting check-in operations across Europe. The airport stated it was working on a swift solution but offered no timeline for resolution.
Meanwhile, Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s largest, said it was not affected. Zurich Airport officials also confirmed they had not been impacted by the disruption.
What does service provider say?
Collins Aerospace, owned by RTX, has yet to issue a statement, with the parent company unavailable for comment outside US business hours. Brussels Airport said the service provider was “actively working on the issue and trying to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”
Across affected hubs, long queues formed as passengers endured extended waiting times while airports shifted to manual check-in. Extra staff were deployed to keep operations moving, though uncertainty remained over how long the disruption would continue. Airlines operating out of the airports were adjusting flight schedules in real time, with further delays expected as the day progressed.