A widespread cyber-related systems failure impacted operations at major European airports on Saturday, causing flight delays and cancellations at key hubs including Brussels Airport, London Heathrow, and Berlin Brandenburg. The disruption was linked to an outage in automated passenger processing systems provided by aerospace technology supplier Collins Aerospace. The incident, which began late Friday, affected the MUSE platform used for automated check-in, boarding pass issuance, and baggage drop functions.
Collins Aerospace confirmed it was experiencing a cyber-related disruption to the system and that technical teams were working to restore services. The company stated that while the outage was significant, manual processes remained functional at affected locations. Brussels Airport reported at least 10 flight cancellations and more than 15 flight delays exceeding an hour on Saturday morning. The airport said the outage continued to impact operations into the afternoon, forcing a complete switch to manual check-in and baggage processing. Airport authorities advised passengers to check flight statuses with individual airlines before arriving at the terminal.
In response to the disruption, the European air traffic control authority Eurocontrol requested airlines to cut approximately half of their scheduled flights to and from Brussels between 4:00 a.m. GMT Saturday and 2:00 a.m. GMT Sunday. The directive aimed to ease congestion and reduce pressure on ground services operating at limited capacity. At London Heathrow, the busiest airport in Europe by passenger volume, officials confirmed delays in check-in and boarding processes due to what was described as a technical issue stemming from the same system provider.
Major airports cancel flights due to system outage
The airport did not confirm specific numbers of cancelled flights but warned passengers of longer wait times. Airlines operating from Heathrow, including British Airways, issued advisories to travelers, urging early arrival and patience as staff implemented contingency procedures. Berlin Brandenburg Airport also reported extended check-in delays. A notice on the airport’s website acknowledged a technical issue affecting operations across Europe and alerted passengers to longer-than-usual processing times. No direct cancellations were announced by Berlin authorities at the time of reporting.
Collins Aerospace, a division of RTX Corporation, said it was actively working to restore the functionality of its MUSE software platform across affected airports. The company did not provide a timeline for full restoration but indicated that it had deployed teams to support local airport operators in managing the outage through manual workarounds. The incident affected operations across several carriers and regions. Airlines including Etihad Airways and Lufthansa acknowledged disruptions, particularly at Brussels and Heathrow. Some airlines implemented alternate check-in procedures or rerouted passengers to avoid operational bottlenecks.
Authorities monitor cyber impact on infrastructure
National cybersecurity agencies in affected countries were notified of the incident. Investigations are underway to determine the nature and origin of the disruption. No breaches of passenger data were reported as of Saturday evening. Saturday’s disruption highlights the extent to which airport operations depend on centralized digital infrastructure. While the situation remains under assessment, airports have emphasized that safety protocols remain unaffected and that flight crews, air traffic control systems, and runway operations continue to function independently of the compromised software.
Airports are advising passengers to monitor flight information closely and arrive early to allow for longer processing times until normal operations resume. Further updates are expected from Collins Aerospace and individual airport operators as technical recovery efforts progress. Travelers should expect potential delays at security and boarding gates as manual procedures remain in effect across impacted terminals. Airlines are coordinating with airport authorities to minimize disruption, but wait times may vary depending on airport staffing and passenger volume. – By Content Syndication Services.