Brussels, 20 September 2025 — A cyberattack targeting a key service provider responsible for check-in and boarding systems has triggered widespread flight delays and cancellations across several European airports today, including Brussels, Heathrow in London, and Berlin. Automated systems went offline, forcing airports to revert to manual processes while efforts to restore systems continue.
The attack was traced to Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX, whose technology platform powers check-in kiosks, boarding gates, and other passenger handling systems. With these automated processes disrupted, airports reported long queues, diverted staffing to mitigate disruptions, and uncertainty for travellers hoping to depart.
In Brussels, airport management confirmed that the outage has had a “large impact” on flight schedules, with some flights cancelled and others significantly delayed. Passengers were urged to check with their airlines before heading to the airport. Berlin Airport similarly reported longer waiting times at check-in, and Heathrow warned that departing flights could be delayed, advising travellers to monitor their flight status closely.
Not all airports were affected. Frankfurt and Zurich reported being unaffected by the attack, underscoring that the disruption was limited to those using the particular systems provided by Collins Aerospace.
Collins Aerospace has acknowledged the disruption and is actively working to restore full functionality. In the meantime, airports are relying on manual check-in and boarding operations to keep flights moving as much as possible.
