A significant cyberattack on a third-party service provider has caused widespread disruption to check-in and boarding systems at major European airports, including London Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The attack, which occurred late Friday night, forced automated systems offline, prompting airlines and airports to revert to manual processes, resulting in delays and potential cancellations.
In response, Air India issued a travel advisory on Saturday, urging passengers flying from London to complete their web check-in before arriving at the airport. The airline stated that its ground teams in London are working diligently to minimise passenger inconvenience.
The affected service provider, identified by London Heathrow Airport as Collins Aerospace, is a global company that manages passenger processing systems for multiple airlines across Europe. Heathrow acknowledged the disruption and assured passengers that extra staff had been deployed in check-in areas to assist travelers.
Brussels Airport also confirmed the cyberattack and warned that only manual check-in was currently possible. It advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to arrive at least two hours in advance for Schengen flights and three hours for international departures.
Berlin Airport echoed similar issues, reporting long wait times and delays due to a Europe-wide disruption in check-in systems. Authorities and the service provider are working on restoring systems, but no estimated time for resolution has been provided.
As airlines and airport authorities continue to assess the damage and work on restoring services, passengers are strongly advised to monitor flight updates and follow any guidance issued by their respective carriers.
