Heathrow Prepares for Second Day of Chaos After Cyberattack

Disruption Continues at Major European Airports Due to Cyber-Attack

Air travelers across Europe are experiencing ongoing disruptions at several major airports, including Heathrow, following a cyber-attack that has affected check-in and baggage systems. The incident has led to significant delays, with hundreds of flights impacted over the weekend. Airlines have been forced to resort to manual processes, such as using pen and paper for boarding, in an effort to manage the chaos.

Brussels Airport reported that there is currently no indication of when the system will be restored to full functionality. In response, the airport has asked airlines to cancel half of their departing flights. This move aims to reduce the number of passengers arriving at the airport and alleviate pressure on the already strained manual check-in procedures.

RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, which provides the software used by several airlines, confirmed that a cyber-related disruption had occurred in select airports. The company identified its Muse software as the system affected. This software enables multiple airlines to share check-in desks and boarding gates, reducing the need for each airline to maintain separate facilities. However, the current outage has forced airlines to operate without this shared infrastructure, leading to further complications.

Despite the ongoing issues, efforts to resolve the problem are continuing. Heathrow Airport stated that it was working diligently to restore normal operations. While the majority of flights have continued to operate, the airport has urged passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to arrive early to avoid additional delays.

British Airways has reportedly managed to continue operating normally at Heathrow using a backup system, but most other airlines serving the airport have been significantly affected. Passengers have faced long queues, with some reporting wait times of over two hours. According to FlightAware, approximately 47% of Heathrow’s departing flights were delayed on Saturday. Additional staff have been deployed to check-in areas to help minimize the impact of the disruption.

Lucy Spencer, a passenger at Heathrow, described her experience of queuing for over two hours to check in for a Malaysia Airlines flight. She noted that staff were handling check-ins over the phone to accommodate the backlog. Another traveler, Monazza Aslam, shared her frustration after waiting since the early morning with her elderly parents, only to miss their connecting flight due to the delays.

Brussels Airport has confirmed that manual check-in procedures will continue on Sunday. Extra staff have been brought in to assist with the increased workload. So far, 44 flights have been canceled at the airport, and officials anticipate long lines at check-in and further delays throughout the day.

Eurocontrol, the European aviation safety organization, has advised airline operators to cancel half of their flight schedules to and from Brussels until 02:00 on Monday. This measure aims to prevent further congestion and ensure the safety of passengers and staff.

Meanwhile, Dublin Airport reported that while technical issues persist, most airlines are still managing to operate manually. The airport expects to run a full schedule on Sunday, though passengers are encouraged to contact their airlines directly for updates on flight status.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport has also been affected, with eight cancellations reported on Saturday. However, delays have generally remained under 45 minutes. To ease the burden on check-in counters, the airport is advising travelers to use online or self-service check-in options during the outage.

EasyJet and Ryanair, two of Europe’s largest airlines, have not been affected by the issue at Heathrow and have continued operating as usual. Their ability to avoid disruption highlights the varying degrees of impact across different airports and airlines.

The National Cyber Security Centre has confirmed that it is working closely with Collins Aerospace, UK airports, the Department for Transport, and law enforcement to fully understand the scope of the incident. Meanwhile, the European Commission has stated that it is monitoring the situation closely, although there is no evidence of a widespread or severe attack.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has also been informed of the incident and is receiving regular updates to stay informed about the evolving situation.

This latest cyber-attack comes just months after a global IT crash caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike disrupted aviation worldwide, grounding flights across the United States. At the time, experts warned of the industry's vulnerability to digital system failures.

As the situation continues to unfold, travelers are advised to remain vigilant and check with their airlines for the latest information on flight status. For those affected by cancellations or delays, understanding their rights can provide some reassurance during these challenging times.