A cyber-related disruption has caused major delays and cancellations at key European airports including Brussels, Heathrow and Berlin.
BRUSSELS: A cyberattack targeting a critical software system used by several major European airports has led to widespread flight delays and cancellations, with Brussels, London Heathrow, and Berlin airports among the hardest hit.
The disruption stems from an issue in the MUSE software used for automated check-in and baggage drop services, according to a statement from Collins Aerospace, the system’s provider. “We have become aware of a cyber-related disruption to our MUSE software in select airports,” the company confirmed, adding that manual operations were being used to reduce impact.
Brussels Airport faced significant consequences, with at least 10 flights cancelled and another 17 delayed due to the cyberattack. The airport warned that the issue was still unresolved by Saturday morning and continued to heavily affect flight schedules. Passengers were advised to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport.
Eurocontrol, the European aviation watchdog, asked airlines to cancel half of their flights in and out of Brussels between early Saturday and early Sunday as a precaution.
In London, Heathrow Airport – one of Europe’s busiest hubs – also experienced delays. The airport cited a “technical issue” with its check-in and boarding systems. Berlin Airport reported similar delays, stating that a system provider problem had caused longer waiting times.
Collins Aerospace noted that it is “actively working to resolve the issue and restore full functionality.” Despite the disruptions, airports continued operations through manual check-in processes.
