Brussels: Air travel across parts of Europe was thrown into turmoil on Saturday after a large-scale cyberattack disrupted the digital systems that power check-in and boarding operations at multiple international airports, including Brussels, London Heathrow, and Berlin.
The attack, targeting a service provider that supplies automated passenger processing software to several hubs, forced airports to fall back on manual procedures. This sudden shift led to long queues, widespread delays, and several cancellations as staff scrambled to process thousands of travelers without the support of their usual digital infrastructure.
Brussels Airport was among the worst affected, with authorities confirming that automated tools for check-in and boarding had gone offline. Airport officials admitted that the outage significantly slowed operations, creating mounting stress for both passengers and staff. The airport urged travelers to arrive early and prepare for longer waiting times, while also advising passengers to keep in close touch with their airlines for updates.
London’s Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, also reported technical problems linked to the same third-party provider. Although flights continued to operate, the disruptions led to knock-on delays across terminals. Meanwhile, Berlin Brandenburg Airport issued a statement warning of extended waiting times, explaining that its check-in processes were functioning only partially due to the provider’s outage.
Frankfurt Airport, one of the continent’s largest hubs, reported that it was not affected by the cyberattack. Nonetheless, it said it was closely monitoring the situation given the interconnected nature of aviation services. Airlines operating across Europe have also been assessing the scope of the disruption, with some carriers advising customers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
The attack has reignited concerns about the vulnerability of aviation infrastructure to digital threats. Experts note that modern airports depend heavily on third-party service providers for critical operations, making them susceptible to cascading disruptions when a single node is compromised.
Authorities have not yet disclosed who was behind the attack, nor have they provided a timeline for full restoration of the affected systems. However, the incident is expected to intensify debate about cybersecurity resilience in Europe’s transport sector, particularly at a time when passenger traffic is nearing record highs.
For thousands of stranded or delayed travelers across the continent, Saturday’s events served as a sharp reminder that in the digital age, the greatest disruption to a flight may no longer come from weather or mechanical issues but from a keystroke launched thousands of miles away.