By Manisha Sahu,America News World
Published: September 20, 2025

A major cyberattack on Collins Aerospace, a third-party service provider that manages check-in and boarding systems for several international airlines, has caused significant disruptions at major European airports, including London Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The incident, which began late Friday night, has led to widespread delays, long queues, and flight cancellations, forcing airlines to switch to manual systems and issue advisories to passengers.

Air India Issues Travel Advisory

Air India on Saturday alerted passengers departing from London about possible delays, urging them to complete web check-in before reaching the airport.

“A third-party passenger system disruption at Heathrow may cause delays in the check-in process. Our ground teams in London are working to minimise inconvenience. Passengers flying with us from London today are advised to complete their web check-in before arriving at the airport to help ensure a smooth experience,” Air India said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The airline stressed that its teams were on the ground at Heathrow to manage the disruption and assist passengers. While the cyberattack did not directly target Air India’s systems, the reliance on Collins Aerospace’s infrastructure has caused ripple effects for multiple carriers.

What We Know About the Cyberattack

Brussels Airport confirmed that the disruption stemmed from a cyberattack on the check-in and boarding systems provider, which occurred on the night of September 19.

“There was a cyberattack on Friday night, 19 September, against the service provider for the check-in and boarding systems affecting several European airports, including Brussels Airport,” the airport said in a statement. It added that automated systems had been forced offline, leaving manual check-in as the only option.

The airport also advised passengers to arrive well in advance—two hours before Schengen flights and three hours for international departures—to account for the slower processing times.

Also read :Cyberattack disrupts flights at London, Brussels and other major European airports

London Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, acknowledged the disruption and confirmed that Collins Aerospace was the affected provider. “Collins Aerospace is experiencing a technical issue that may cause delays for departing passengers,” Heathrow posted on X. “While the provider works to resolve the problem quickly, we advise passengers to check their flight status with their airline before travelling. Please arrive no earlier than three hours before a long-haul flight or two hours before a domestic flight.”

Berlin Airport echoed similar warnings, stating that passengers should expect longer wait times. “There is a technical issue at a system provider operating across Europe. Our teams are working on a quick solution,” its statement read.

Widespread Passenger Frustration

Scenes from affected airports showed long lines snaking through terminals as staff attempted to check in passengers manually. At Heathrow’s Terminal 2, travellers were seen waiting near check-in desks, many expressing frustration over missed connections and uncertainty about flight schedules.

“It was chaos,” said a passenger scheduled to fly from London to New York. “The staff were doing their best, but without the automated systems, everything slowed to a crawl. I had to wait nearly two hours just to check in.”

While most flights were still operating, the delays created a cascading effect, causing missed transfers and forcing airlines to rebook passengers on later departures. Some flights were cancelled altogether, though airlines have not disclosed exact figures.

The Role of Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace, a U.S.-based subsidiary of RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies), provides critical aviation technology, including passenger processing systems used by dozens of airlines worldwide. Its infrastructure powers everything from self-service kiosks and automated bag drops to boarding gate systems.

The company has not released detailed information about the nature of the cyberattack, whether data was compromised, or when full service might be restored. However, it has acknowledged the issue and stated that teams are working to bring systems back online as quickly as possible.

Cybersecurity Concerns in Aviation

The attack highlights growing vulnerabilities in the aviation industry, which depends heavily on interconnected digital systems for smooth operations. From air traffic control to baggage handling, airports and airlines are increasingly exposed to cyber threats.

“Airports and airlines are high-value targets for cybercriminals and even state-backed actors,” said Dr. Elaine Parker, a cybersecurity analyst at the University of London. “A disruption in passenger processing systems can cause immediate economic and reputational damage, making them attractive targets. The incident underscores the urgent need for the aviation sector to strengthen cyber resilience.”

Past incidents have shown how fragile the ecosystem can be. In 2017, British Airways faced massive IT outages that grounded flights, and more recently, ransomware attacks have targeted airport authorities in the United States and Asia.

What Passengers Should Do

Authorities and airlines are advising travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and, where possible, complete web or mobile check-in in advance.

At Heathrow, officials asked passengers not to arrive at the airport earlier than the recommended check-in times to avoid overcrowding. Brussels Airport echoed similar advice, stressing that arriving too early could add to the congestion.

Airlines have also deployed extra staff to assist with manual check-in and boarding, though the process is expected to remain slower than usual until systems are restored.

No Timeline Yet for Resolution

As of Saturday evening, authorities have not provided a timeline for the full restoration of services. Collins Aerospace has said only that it is “actively working on the issue.”

The uncertainty leaves passengers and airlines alike bracing for continued delays across Europe’s busiest hubs. With the weekend typically seeing high volumes of international travel, the disruption is expected to test the resilience of airport operations and airline contingency planning.

For now, passengers are advised to pack patience along with their travel essentials.