Hackers Disrupt Check-In at Europe’s Major Airports
Cyberattack on Collins Aerospace systems causes delays at Brussels, Berlin, and Heathrow airports.
A major cyberattack targeting check-in and boarding systems has disrupted air travel across some of Europe’s busiest airports, including Brussels, Berlin’s Brandenburg, and London Heathrow. The attack, which occurred on the night of Friday, September 19, 2025, has forced airports to rely on manual check-in processes, leading to significant delays and cancellations.
Brussels Airport reported a “large impact” on flight schedules, stating, “There was a cyberattack on Friday night against the service provider for the check-in and boarding systems affecting several European airports, including Brussels Airport.” The reliance on manual check-in and boarding has severely hampered operations.
Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport confirmed that its passenger handling systems were compromised, prompting operators to sever connections to the affected systems to mitigate further damage.
London Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, described the incident as a “technical issue” affecting Collins Aerospace, a key provider of check-in and boarding technology for multiple airlines worldwide. “Collins Aerospace is experiencing a technical issue that may cause delays for departing passengers,” a Heathrow spokesperson said.
Collins, a US-based aviation and defense technology firm formed in 2018 under RTX Corp. (formerly Raytheon Technologies), supports self-service kiosks that enable passengers to check in, print boarding passes and bag tags, and dispatch luggage.
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The attack’s impact was not universal, with Paris-area airports—Roissy, Orly, and Le Bourget—reporting no disruptions. Attempts to contact Collins Aerospace’s UK base near Gatwick Airport for comment were unsuccessful.
Airports have urged travelers to check flight statuses via airline platforms and issued apologies for the inconvenience caused by the ongoing disruptions.
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