Cyberattack Disrupts London Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels Airports
September 20, 2025
Air travel across Europe faced major disruption on Saturday, September 20, 2025, after a cyberattack compromised a critical passenger management system provided by Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation. The incident forced airports in London-Heathrow, Berlin-Brandenburg, Brussels, and Dublin to switch to manual check-in and boarding processes, resulting in widespread delays and cancellations.
The Attack on Collins Aerospace’s “Muse” System
Collins Aerospace confirmed the disruption, identifying its Muse software—used for electronic check-in, boarding pass printing, and baggage drop—as the target. The company described it as a “cyber-origin disruption” but provided no details on the attackers. It said efforts were underway to restore services “as quickly as possible.”
Heathrow and Berlin Among the Worst Affected
Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest hub, warned passengers of delays and cancellations. According to the BBC, Eurocontrol asked airlines to cancel up to half of scheduled flights between Saturday morning and Monday morning. At Berlin Brandenburg Airport, systems were shut down after the attack, forcing staff to process passengers manually.
Chaos at Brussels Airport
Brussels-Zaventem Airport faced long queues as staff checked in passengers manually. Authorities admitted the incident had “serious consequences” on flight schedules. In Ireland, Dublin and Cork airports reported only minor disruptions. Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly were not affected.
No Impact on Air Traffic Control
Eurocontrol confirmed that air traffic control systems were not impacted, ensuring airborne flights remained safe. However, the ground-level disruptions are expected to continue until normal operations resume.
Rising Cyber Threats in Aviation
The aviation sector has faced a surge in cyber threats. A Thales security report highlighted 27 ransomware attacks between January 2024 and April 2025—a 600% rise year-on-year. Recent victims include Qantas in July 2025 and Japan Airlines in December 2024.
What Passengers Should Expect
Passengers traveling through affected airports are advised to check flight status updates, arrive early, and expect delays until at least Monday, September 22. Manual check-in procedures will remain in place until Collins Aerospace fully resolves the issue.
This developing story highlights how dependent global aviation has become on digital infrastructure—and how vulnerable it remains to cyber threats.