Flights at Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin airports have been delayed or cancelled after a cyber-attack hit Collins Aerospace, the company behind the Muse check-in and boarding software. The attack has raised concerns about the security of critical infrastructure, with experts warning that disruption could spread to more airports.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was being kept informed and advised passengers to check with their airlines before travelling. Heathrow asked passengers not to arrive more than three hours before long-haul flights or two hours before domestic ones.
Brussels airport reported that check-in and boarding could only be handled manually, leading to delays and cancellations. Berlin airport also warned of longer waiting times. Collins Aerospace confirmed the disruption was limited to electronic check-in and baggage drop, and could be mitigated with manual operations.
Professor Alan Woodward of the University of Surrey questioned why only three airports were affected, suggesting the attackers may have selectively targeted them. He noted that if the system is centralised, Collins might need to shut it down, causing widespread disruption.
Passenger Maria Casey, travelling from Heathrow to Thailand, faced a three-hour queue for manual baggage check-in, unaware of the cyber-attack until later. The European Commission said aviation safety and air traffic control remained unaffected.
